Engawa House by FORarquitectura: A Sensitive Renovation Rooted in Rural Heritage

In the fertile landscape of Málaga, Spain, where the earth reveals the stones of its subsoil, FORarquitectura undertakes a thoughtful architectural intervention: the renovation of a humble 19th-century rural dwelling, now known as Engawa House. This 155-square-meter project, completed in 2022 under the direction of lead architect Francisco Ortega Ruiz, stands as a testament to preserving cultural memory while embracing contemporary living standards.

Preserving Rural Identity Through Architecture

Engawa House was originally a substandard residence, suffering from a severe lack of sanitary infrastructure, poor indoor air quality caused by rising dampness, inadequate ventilation, and an absence of thermal insulation for colder months. The structure’s precarious condition posed major safety risks, making it uninhabitable. However, the home’s deep-rooted connection to the landscape, its historical construction methods—including the use of "Cantilla" stone blocks, a material historically associated with Málaga's Cathedral Naves—and its cultural significance within the Axarquia region inspired FORarquitectura to pursue a respectful and sensitive architectural renovation.

Rather than erasing the home’s historical footprint, the design team chose to amplify it, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding rural architectural heritage that often risks being forgotten in the face of modernization.

Structural Consolidation and Material Dialogue

One of the critical interventions focused on stabilizing the original roof, which was close to collapsing due to weakened wooden beams damaged by woodworm. To preserve the existing structure, a discreet iron substructure was introduced to support the beams without compromising the building’s historical character.

The interior layout of the house remains largely intact, respecting the original spatial organization. Instead of radical transformations, FORarquitectura opted for a rehabilitation strategy that brings a new material language in dialogue with the old. Throughout key areas such as the hallway, bedrooms, and bathrooms, 14x28 cm Catalan tiles were installed up to a height of 2.10 meters—matching the lintel heights of the doorways—to create a warm, protective tapestry.

In the bathrooms, the design subtly shifts: tiles are resized to 5x25 cm around the sink area to differentiate wet spaces, while glazed black ceramics mark high-moisture zones like the bathtub and kitchen countertop. The terracotta flooring, a relic of the past, was meticulously scraped, sanded, and sealed with resin to preserve its rustic beauty.

Walls coated in natural lime mortars ensure a breathable and healthy indoor environment, preventing condensation while regulating temperature through thermal buffering. These materials not only enhance energy efficiency but also support sustainable living by naturally cooling the interiors in summer and retaining warmth during the cooler months.

Spatial Zoning: Intimate vs. Public Realms

The Engawa House is subtly zoned to differentiate private and public functions. On the eastern side, the intimate program unfolds, housing the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom—spaces that demand privacy and introspection. In contrast, the western nave accommodates the living room, workshop, and kitchen—areas designed for community, creativity, and daily life.

This separation is reinforced through interior design choices that emphasize light, materiality, and thermal comfort, creating environments that invite users into a sensory journey. Here, material austerity and soft natural light work together to cultivate an atmosphere of calm, sobriety, and hospitality, encouraging contemplation and reflection.

All Photographs are works of Juanca Lagares