"In Ruzafa, as across the Valencian Eixample, the challenge is not technical: it is finding the balance between the character of the original building and the ambition of the design project."
Ruzafa is today one of Valencia's most coveted neighbourhoods. Growing demand for full renovations in Ruzafa combines respect for the original Valencian Eixample architecture with the highest modern comfort standards. This is the technical chronicle of one such transformation: a 95 sqm flat from the 1970s with a compartmentalised layout and obsolete services.
1. Starting point: demolition and diagnosis
The flat had a typical 1970s layout: separate living-dining room, closed kitchen, three bedrooms and one bathroom. After the initial technical diagnosis, we agreed with the architect on a selective demolition of all interior partitions. The removal of 9 tonnes of rubble was carried out in construction skips with selective material sorting and disposal at a licensed waste transfer facility.
2. Layout redesign and plasterboard partitions
The new layout eliminated one bedroom to extend the living room and create an integrated work area. Interior partitions were built entirely in gypsum board (Pladur) with a 70 mm self-supporting metal frame and double-board on each face with high-density basalt rock wool (40 kg/m³) inside. The result is a 52 dB acoustic isolation index. Perimeter coffer ceiling details house indirect LED lighting.
3. Services: plumbing, electrics and heat pump
The services overhaul was total. Old copper pipes were replaced with a PEX-Al-PEX multilayer distribution network of 16 and 20 mm. For HVAC, we specified a heat pump system with a 7 kW outdoor unit distributed via ceiling fan coils, achieving a COP of 3.8 and estimated energy consumption 65% lower than the original gas boiler.
4. Open-plan kitchen: the centrepiece of the project
The kitchen was the project's most ambitious element. Removing the wall that separated it from the living room turned an 8 sqm kitchen into a 22 sqm integrated kitchen-dining area. The kitchen is anchored by a 120×250 cm island in natural oak with continuous grain. The sink area worktop is Silestone Bianco Calacatta with a Hansgrohe high-arc tap.
5. Bathrooms: continuous microcement and walk-in showers
Both bathrooms were fully renovated with continuous microcement on floors and walls, with no joints or material changes. The showers are flush-to-floor wet room designs with a concealed shower tray and a stainless steel linear drain at the wall-floor junction. Sanitaryware is from the Duravit DuraStyle wall-hung range on Geberit compact discharge frames.
Conclusion
The project was delivered in 14 weeks, with a total cost of €1,050/sqm. At Nosolo Design we execute full renovations across every neighbourhood of Valencia. Visit our Valencia renovations page or request a no-obligation quote.