"I'm interested in designing spatial sequences that allow the human scale to shine."
"I'm interested in designing spatial sequences that allow the human scale to shine."
By Noelia Jiménez
Between the Spanish accent, cozy, warm and Mediterranean, and the Italian style, as elegant as timeless, move five letters that have become a true reference of the most beautiful lines of the current Spanish architecture: Gärna. And in the middle of this cocktail as eclectic as it is delicious, taste reigns, which is one of the more than twenty meanings of the word with which a young Cordovan girl named Laura laid the foundations of a perfect triangle: architecture, interior design and art.
"Doing things with zest, enthusiasm, pleasantness and friendliness are all meanings of Gärna in Swedish and they all define our values," explains the architect and interior designer.
This desire, combined with the incombustible friendliness of her homeland of Cordoba, led Laura Gärna to settle in Madrid to study architecture and then to soak up everything that Milan, the cradle of interior design, could offer her in order to bring an extra mile to each and every one of her projects.
This fusion of understanding each building as a whole, where the exterior and interior dialogue in the service of its inhabitants, is the leitmotiv of Gärna Properties: "We acquire, design, renovate, build and decorate homes for sale. We accompany clients and provide them with a 360º vision, from the conception of the design to the smallest final detail."
A great exponent of this philosophy is the Villa Camino Sur, one of Gärna Properties' most acclaimed projects in La Moraleja and a wonderful symbiosis prime of monumentality and delicacy. How do you manage to architecturally unite such antagonistic concepts?. The key to architecturally uniting such opposing concepts lies in balancing monumental design with thoughtful details that bring a sense of lightness and warmth. In a 2,000 m² home, achieving that combination of grandeur and comfort is a challenge, but I sincerely believe that in this project we have successfully achieved that synergy.
Why did you choose La Moraleja as the location for this super prime property?? We chose La Moraleja as the location for this super prime home because, after living here with my family for more than seven years, we noticed a lack of high-quality, move-in ready properties. Thus was born the idea of building turnkey luxury homes, where our clients can enjoy from day one a home designed and finished to the highest standards, including architecture, interior design, landscaping, decoration and art.
Of all the factors that make La Moraleja an unbeatable location for super prime homes, which do you think are the ones that can be best appreciated at Villa Camino Sur?. From La Moraleja I would highlight its proximity to the center of Madrid and the quick connection to the airport, just seven minutes away. In addition, the urbanization is a true green lung, with extensive gardens and century-old trees that are preserved thanks to strict regulations, which guarantees an unbeatable natural environment.
The plot on which the house stands stands out for its rich vegetation, which can be seen on the slope. Has landscaping been a determining factor in the project?. Undoubtedly, it has been fundamental in this project. When we visited the plot, we were captivated by the views, the orientation and the century-old trees on the site. We preserved all the trees and took care of every detail during the construction to preserve the original vegetation. The result is a home that feels like a refuge in the middle of nature, even though it is located in one of the most exclusive urbanizations in Spain and only 15 minutes from Madrid.
"The key to architecturally uniting such opposing concepts lies in balancing monumental design with thoughtful details, which bring a sense of lightness and warmth."
The monumental curved staircase is one of the main protagonists of the space, with two great sources of inspiration: the staircase of the Chambord castle attributed to Da Vinci and the style of Niemeyer in Avilés. What does it mean to you? In the studio we like to break with the linear sobriety of contemporary architecture by incorporating curved lines that bring humanity to the space. This staircase, built by hand over nine months, is the central element of the house and gives it a unique personality.
The materials (limestone, darkened oak, Campaspero stone) have been carefully chosen to convey a sense of home as well as robustness. What would you highlight about them? The choice of materials such as limestone, darkened oak and Campaspero stone has been crucial to convey solidity and warmth. We mainly use natural stone from Spanish quarries, such as black Marquina, as well as other exotic stones in special elements such as the washbasins. The carpentry, in oak, was handcrafted by a master carpenter from Asturias with decades of experience, bringing authenticity and timeless elegance.
And all of the above is built on the foundations of true sustainability, with Passivhaus foundations. Could you describe some of the key energy efficiency features that permeate the Villa Camino Sur? Sustainability is a fundamental pillar in this project, designed under Passivhaus standards. The house is built with high quality materials that act as a thermos, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the year. We use state-of-the-art technology in the installations, including geothermal systems and solar panels on the roof. In addition, it has a rainwater collection system and a legalized well, thus achieving a very low energy consumption.
This is a prime 360º project, in which you have designed every centimeter with the utmost care. Among the special pieces of each space stands out, for example, the headboard of one of the suites. What other corners are 'treasures' of this house? This project is an example of integral design, in which every detail has been carefully planned. Special features include the headboard in one of the suites, but the double-height living room, kitchen and dressing room in the master bedroom are also noteworthy. These spaces have been created to offer a unique visual and sensory experience.
Art, of course, inhabits every corner of this home, created in a holistic way. How did you choose the artwork? Art plays a fundamental role in every corner of the house, in harmony with the interior design. The color palette, in earth tones, blues and greens that evoke the environment, integrates perfectly with the selected art pieces. These works were carefully chosen for each space, looking for the connection with the furniture and the desired energy in each environment. Most of the pieces come from our Gärna Art Gallery and private collections.
The La Moraleja client is a sophisticated homeowner, seeking excellence in every detail. Are there any particularities within the super prime client depending on the area of Madrid they choose? Most of the buyers here are foreigners, with international tastes, and we are proud to receive feedback that our homes meet those global standards.
"Art has a fundamental role in every corner of the house, in harmony with the interior design"
Which other areas of Madrid are your favorite when it comes to residential development and why? Other areas of Madrid that I consider interesting to promote high-end residences are the Salamanca neighborhood, Almagro and Jerónimos in the center, as well as areas of Pío XII. Outside the capital, La Finca, Pozuelo and Aravaca also stand out for their high demand for luxury properties. You are from Córdoba: you studied architecture in Madrid and interior design in Milan and then worked with great masters in Portugal. What would you say positions Madrid as "a place to be"? Madrid is experiencing a moment of great international projection. It is a vibrant and welcoming city where it is easy to feel at home. Safety, quality of life, academic and cultural offerings, along with an exceptional climate and varied gastronomy, make Madrid an attractive and multicultural destination. Our clients often fall in love with the city and become its ambassadors.
Details of Villa Camino Sur, in La Moraleja, by Gärna Properties. Below: Laura Gärna's portrait at Villa Camino Sur.
In your work as an architect you design sequences of spaces in which the human scale can shine. Would this be a kind of architectural storytelling? I am interested in designing spatial sequences that allow the human scale to shine. In this project, the house has been conceived from the inside to the outside, taking care of each distribution to create cozy and functional spaces, where the family can live, share and receive in comfort. This approach allows us to create an architectural narrative that flows from one environment to another.
Laura, what, for you, makes a house a real home? For me, a house becomes a home because of the people who live in it and the moments that are created in it. We design with the intention that our spaces transmit peace and harmony, and that those who live in them find in them a refuge where they can be happy and feel in their true nest.