journal
Photography: Héctor Santos-Díez
30 / 06 / 2025
Presence, structure, sculpture. An architectural gesture that occupies space with the same authority as a piece of art. In high-level contemporary architecture and design, the kitchen has evolved from a purely functional area to a sculptural element.
Integrated into the architectural narrative of the house, the kitchen is no longer just the place to prepare meals. In demanding residential projects, this space transcends functionality to assert itself as a silent block that organises, balances and defines.
From an architectural perspective, the kitchen embodies a concept where matter, form, and space merge into a cohesive and expressive whole. When it's not being used for cooking, this room takes on a new form - a place to receive and socialise.
The Spanish kitchen furniture brand Santos developed the first free-standing modules in the 1960s, based on the modular kitchen concept, and has since endeavored to create quality products that combine ergonomic and functional design with a clean aesthetic that blends in with the house's design.
From an architectural perspective, the kitchen embodies a concept where matter, form, and space merge into a cohesive and expressive whole. When it's not being used for cooking, this room takes on a new form - a place to receive and socialise.
The Spanish kitchen furniture brand Santos developed the first free-standing modules in the 1960s, based on the modular kitchen concept, and has since endeavored to create quality products that combine ergonomic and functional design with a clean aesthetic that blends in with the house's design.
Santos Projects: where the kitchen is thought of as volume and lived in as architecture
Fine Cashmere
In a neighbourhood in the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela, the refurbishment of this single-family house transformed an old structure comprising a central block and an annex into a comfortable and welcoming home.
After the renovation, the property has a ground floor, a first floor, and a roof overhang with a multipurpose room. The ground floor partly houses the social area, shared by the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
The kitchen was arranged at one end of this open space, partially separated from the other rooms by an open stone wall. To furnish this space, the architects selected a FINE Cashmere model from Santos, which, with its clean-lined design and smooth fronts, seamlessly blends in with the house's architecture and interior design.
The kitchen also has a laminate counter with a Natural Oak wood finish, designed for quick meals without the need to travel to the dining room.
To make the most of an extended, narrow floor plan, the furniture has been arranged in a line. The central part of the composition comprises the preparation, washing-up, and cooking areas, equipped with an integrated dishwasher, two hob cabinets featuring a plate rack accessory, and a sink cabinet.
The kitchen furniture is completed with a series of tall cupboards at the ends.
Fine Cashmere
In a neighbourhood in the historic centre of Santiago de Compostela, the refurbishment of this single-family house transformed an old structure comprising a central block and an annex into a comfortable and welcoming home.
After the renovation, the property has a ground floor, a first floor, and a roof overhang with a multipurpose room. The ground floor partly houses the social area, shared by the kitchen, living room, and dining room.
The kitchen was arranged at one end of this open space, partially separated from the other rooms by an open stone wall. To furnish this space, the architects selected a FINE Cashmere model from Santos, which, with its clean-lined design and smooth fronts, seamlessly blends in with the house's architecture and interior design.
The kitchen also has a laminate counter with a Natural Oak wood finish, designed for quick meals without the need to travel to the dining room.
To make the most of an extended, narrow floor plan, the furniture has been arranged in a line. The central part of the composition comprises the preparation, washing-up, and cooking areas, equipped with an integrated dishwasher, two hob cabinets featuring a plate rack accessory, and a sink cabinet.
The kitchen furniture is completed with a series of tall cupboards at the ends.
Fine Black Silk
In search of a simple space that would allow them to disconnect and enjoy nature, a couple and their two children wanted to build a shelter on the same plot as their main house, surrounded by granaries and traditional buildings of the Serra de Outes.
This one-storey house, clad in Japanese cedar, features a flat, landscaped roof. The wood, charred using the traditional Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, has been combined with large glass panels, which, in addition to increasing the luminosity of the interiors, enhance their relationship with the surroundings.
The symmetrical floor plan of the house centres around two large volumes clad in oak wood. The kitchen, living room and dining room share an ample open space reserved for the social area, the core of the house. The kitchen is furnished with a FINE design by Santos in a Black Silk finish, in line with the colour palette and the minimalist spirit of the house's interior design.
The furniture is arranged around a large central island, which brings together the preparation, cooking, and office areas. For the extraction of fumes, the architects chose a ceiling extractor that, by remaining unobtrusive, helps create a cleaner environment.
The island includes multiple organisation options on both sides. The work surface, extended at one end of the island, was complemented by stools, which also served as a dining table. The rest of the furniture forms a line parallel to the island, framed by one of the volumes clad in oak wood.
In search of a simple space that would allow them to disconnect and enjoy nature, a couple and their two children wanted to build a shelter on the same plot as their main house, surrounded by granaries and traditional buildings of the Serra de Outes.
This one-storey house, clad in Japanese cedar, features a flat, landscaped roof. The wood, charred using the traditional Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban, has been combined with large glass panels, which, in addition to increasing the luminosity of the interiors, enhance their relationship with the surroundings.
The symmetrical floor plan of the house centres around two large volumes clad in oak wood. The kitchen, living room and dining room share an ample open space reserved for the social area, the core of the house. The kitchen is furnished with a FINE design by Santos in a Black Silk finish, in line with the colour palette and the minimalist spirit of the house's interior design.
The furniture is arranged around a large central island, which brings together the preparation, cooking, and office areas. For the extraction of fumes, the architects chose a ceiling extractor that, by remaining unobtrusive, helps create a cleaner environment.
The island includes multiple organisation options on both sides. The work surface, extended at one end of the island, was complemented by stools, which also served as a dining table. The rest of the furniture forms a line parallel to the island, framed by one of the volumes clad in oak wood.
The two projects materialise this vision, where the kitchen is thought of as a volume and lived in as architecture - two distinct houses where this space is confused with the design of the house itself, guided by the eye of its architects.
Santos has an extensive range of solutions for kitchens and ancillary spaces, as well as accessories and complementary equipment. Find your nearest Santos distributor for more information, specialised advice, and tailor-made projects.
Santos has an extensive range of solutions for kitchens and ancillary spaces, as well as accessories and complementary equipment. Find your nearest Santos distributor for more information, specialised advice, and tailor-made projects.
Santos distributor: Santiago Interiores
Architects: 2es+ arquitectura
For more information, visit Santos website.
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