A building located in Maó, capital of the Spanish island of Menorca, has been transformed by Emma Martí Arquitectura studio through a careful intervention aimed at preserving its original beauty. Once a single-family house built between the 18th and 19th centuries and belonging to the merchant, privateer and author of the Chronicles of Maó Joan Roca Vivent, the structure, now Hotel Hevresac, has eight rooms and is distributed over five levels.

The dwelling, dark and non-functional before the renovation, is located on two streets – Anuncivay and Sant Ferran – and is distinguished by a trapezoidal shape that also influences the conformation of the interior rooms. The architects focused on preserving the stucco, staircase, floors and ceilings, merging and emphasising the property’s dual identity: a British one, embodied in the wall decorations and parquet floors, and a Menorcan one, with a simple, vernacular aesthetic.

The original pavimento hidráulico was preserved, while stuccoes and paintings were brought back to light. New additions, such as bathroom partitions, staircases and wardrobes, were made of spruce wood, in harmony with the pre-existing materials.

The result is an ambience with a pleasant atmosphere complemented by eclectic furnishings from various European cities, including Stockholm and Brussels. To let in light and transform the cramped spaces, skylights were installed on the top level and three windows were inserted in the facade. With a view to sustainability, cork was used to insulate the walls and ensure thermal and acoustic comfort in the spaces.