Hotel in Menorca by Calderon-Folch Studio

In Menorca, Calderon-Folch Studio has transformed a building from 1844 into a hotel. Hotel Ses Sucreres is located in the historic centre of the small village of Ferreries, near the town hall and the church of Sant Bartomeu. Parts of the historic facade and interior have been preserved during the renovation. For the new parts of the building, the architects opted for a contrast between the historic layer and the brutalist intervention.

Exposed concrete ceilings and micro-cement floors characterise the interior. © José Hevia

Part of the rear facade, for example, is made of local Marès stone with a raw appearance. There is also a Corten steel mullion and transom facade that opens onto the garden on the ground floor. The brutalist aesthetic continues inside, with micro-cement and terrazzo floors and exposed concrete ceilings. Spruce plywood built-in furniture provides a warm contrast to the colours of the existing building. Examples are the old brickwork and the tiled floor. In keeping with the regional concept of working with historical layers, the renovation was carried out by craftsmen from Ferreries or Menorca.

The pool is surrounded by a red stone from the area. © José Hevia

Despite the legibility of old and new, the palette of earthy tones provides a link between old and new. For example, the newly added external staircase in oxidised steel harmonises with the design of the garden. Regional materials have been used for the latter. For example, the red Terra Rotja stone, which is typical of the area, was used for the paving, pool surrounds and gravelled areas. Other outdoor features include a pergola with painted stainless steel supports and a vegetable garden for self-sufficiency. The result is a small oasis that blends in with the site and its history.