- Interior
Located on the enchanting coastline of Las Marinas in Denia, the compact 55-square-metre Mediterrasian flat captures the essence of both Mediterranean and Asian aesthetics. Designed by Paloma Bau Studio, this project is a careful interplay of cultural nuances and precise materiality, designed with a minimalist yet expressive language that revolves around three core concepts: materials, functions and spatial clarity.
This seaside property is a sophisticated retreat where simplicity and structure come together. Paloma Bau Studio transformed the ground-floor flat within a beachfront complex into a serene and essential living space. Without drastically altering the existing floor plan, subtle reconfiguration of the kitchen and living room opened up the daytime spaces, while fixed elements in the bathrooms were optimally tuned for efficient use of space. However, the greatest achievement lies in carefully correcting common shortcomings in standard homes: the inappropriate low-hanging ceilings, awkward columns, redundant superstructures and poorly finished material transitions. With refined architectural details, Bau Studio thus creates unity and visual coherence, giving the interior a calm balance. 
The strength of the design lies in three materials, each playing its own role: customised architectural elements that define the layout, natural stone that invites touch and use, and light oak that brings warmth through custom-made cabinets and shelves. These materials take on almost sculptural forms within the flat. For instance, built-in volumes serve as stairs to the terrace and as a base for the sofa; soft, curved lines embrace the kitchen; undulating shelves separate storage areas; and rounded structures subtly frame the wet areas in the bathrooms. In the master bedroom, a built-in headboard acts as an elegant anchor point.
The chosen stone, a brushed brown pearly natural stone with a texture reminiscent of pebbles smoothed by the sea, has been applied to worktops, washbasins and tables. This creates a tactile, sensory experience in everyday use. Light oak adds warmth, while microcement envelops the home with a continuous, skin-like finish that connects the interior and enhances the spatial flow.
Bespoke architectural elements that define the layout & natural stone that invites touch and use
The interior styling further emphasises this material story. Natural linen and cotton fabrics are combined with darker accents in hardware and decoration, creating an exciting contrast. Handmade ceramics by Canoa Lab form a quiet dialogue with the architectural palette, while lighting made of rice paper and alabaster create soft, diffuse layers of light that evoke both Mediterranean daylight and serene Asian ambience.
Mediterrasian is an architectural translation of its surroundings: the sea, sand and smooth stones of Denia. It is a cultural interplay combining the warm, tactile richness of the Mediterranean style with the subdued clarity and spatial attention of the Asian tradition. This fusion results in a neutral colour palette, formal restraint and a harmonious interplay between craft and architecture - a small but meaningful seaside retreat.
Photography by David Zarzoso
Studio by Paloma Bau Estudio
Architecture & Interior Design by Paloma Bau
Text by Elke Aerts