Casa Cometa by Bardo: A Lightweight Roof Structure Renovation That Defies Gravity

A Renovation That Reimagines Structure and Space

Located in the heart of Madrid, Casa Cometa is a remarkable architectural intervention by Bardo, transforming a failing rooftop into a dynamic, inhabitable space. Originally plagued by poor construction and a near-collapse of the roof, this 63-square-meter apartment underwent a radical transformation rooted in one core idea: lightness. More than just a technical solution, this lightweight roof structure renovation reflects a poetic reinterpretation of how structure, material, and atmosphere can come together in a delicate spatial choreography.

Solving Structural Failure Through Architectural Precision

The key challenge was engineering a new roof that could resolve existing structural failures without overloading the building. Working closely with structural engineer Manuel Ocaña, the team designed a lightweight tubular structure acting as a habitable truss. Anchor points were meticulously distributed across the surface, minimizing stress concentrations and ensuring even load transfer. This approach not only avoided collapse but gave rise to a new upper floor—both stable and ethereal.

A Home Inspired by a Kite

The image that drove the design was that of a kite—light, suspended, and free. The architects embraced this metaphor in every aspect of the project. From the name “Casa Cometa” (comet or kite) to the choice of materials and tones, everything supports a sense of lift and fluidity. The structural solution became more than engineering—it became the architectural language.

Material Language: Grounding and Elevation

The home’s vertical stratification mirrors its conceptual and structural logic. The upper level, bathed in sky blues and luminous creams, amplifies brightness and airiness. It becomes a retreat space, a room to unwind, wrapped in visual lightness. The lower level grounds the experience with terracotta, wood, and deep blue tones—establishing a tactile contrast and a sense of rootedness. This chromatic duality marks a clear experiential transition between the house’s two zones.

Reflective Surfaces and the Illusion of Weightlessness

In the transitional zone, reflective materials like glass bricks, steel, and mirrors are used with intent. These elements not only bounce natural light but also visually erase edges and depth, allowing the space to feel larger and almost suspended. This intermediate layer becomes a metaphorical and literal hinge—a space where structure becomes atmosphere.

A New Typology for Urban Rooftop Renovation

This project redefines what a rooftop renovation can be in dense urban settings. Instead of merely fixing the structural issues, Bardo leveraged the opportunity to insert new spatial programs, establish visual poetics, and experiment with material lightness. The result is a renovation that is technically brilliant and emotionally resonant.

An Architecture That Floats Without Losing Ground

Casa Cometa demonstrates how architectural invention can be born from constraint. The structural challenge of saving a roof evolved into a spatial narrative of floating forms, airy transitions, and dual grounding. It is an ode to what architecture can achieve when engineering and aesthetics coalesce.

All photographs are works of Germán Sáiz