Casa Gesso, designed by Valencia-based Viruta Lab, is more than a home—it’s a “habitable blank canvas” that pays homage to feminist artist Ángela García Codoñer. Located in Picanya, Spain, the house reimagines residential spaces as venues for reflection and artistic exploration, embodying the artist’s groundbreaking critique of traditional gender norms.

Architectural Concept and Design

Casa Gesso features two interlinked volumes of differing heights, reflecting the architectural diversity of the surrounding neighbourhood. The one-and-a-half-storey structure houses the main living areas, while a two-storey block contains the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Central to the design is a courtyard that serves as the home’s heart, providing natural light and ventilation. The porcelain tiles cladding the facades and courtyard evoke traditional Valencian washhouses, blending local heritage with modern aesthetics.

David Puerta, one of the architects and a former mentee of García Codoñer, described the house as a “habitable blank canvas” that harmonises minimalist design with the artist’s vibrant work.

Inspiration from Ángela García Codoñer’s Oeuvre

Each living space draws inspiration from a specific series by García Codoñer:

• Living Room: Features a 1979 piece from the Labores series, which critiques traditional female handicrafts. Upholstered elements and rugs evoke cross-stitching, aligning with the series’ theme.
• Kitchen: Highlights a painting from the Morfologías series (1973), which deconstructs societal depictions of women. Rounded forms and a female bust in the courtyard mirror the sinuous shapes of the artwork.
• Main Bedroom: Showcases a collage from the Misses series (1974), denouncing the objectification of women in beauty pageants. A tweed headboard subtly references the meticulous construction of the female image.

Material Palette and Atmosphere

Viruta Lab used a restrained material palette to create warmth and neutrality, allowing García Codoñer’s works to take centre stage. Bone-white porcelain tiles, stained oak cabinetry, and soft upholstery foster a serene and reflective environment.

Function Meets Reflection

The architects emphasised that Casa Gesso is not simply an exhibition space. Instead, it’s a functional home designed to blur the boundaries between living and observing, encouraging contemplation of García Codoñer’s legacy while fulfilling everyday needs.

Casa Gesso exemplifies how architecture can celebrate artistic and cultural legacies. By intertwining Ángela García Codoñer’s feminist perspectives with modern design, Viruta Lab has created a space that challenges traditional norms while offering a peaceful retreat for reflection and inspiration.

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