Calmo Apartment: living with measure in the heart of Palma

Apartamento Calmo: living with measure in the heart of Palma

The duo behind OHLOCAL Studio talks about their process, their sensitive approach and the Calm Apartment project.

In Santa Catalina, one of Palma’s most historically rich and evolving neighborhoods, Apartamento Calmo offers a thoughtful response to its urban setting. Set within a 92-square-meter apartment, the project by OHLOCAL Studio explores how restraint, material sensitivity, and spatial clarity can shape a contemporary way of living while remaining deeply connected to its context.Founded on a long-standing personal relationship, OHLOCAL Studio approaches interior architecture as an intuitive dialogue between materials, atmosphere, and everyday movement.

They aim to create spaces that invite natural movement and feel emotionally grounded. Each project begins with a deep reflection on the atmosphere a place evokes, allowing them to shape environments that resonate with the local context and lived experience.

As they put it: “In a world saturated with new products and influences, we continuously return to one essential question: What does this place truly need? Our goal is to create atmospheres that carry craft traditions and material culture forward, translating them into contemporary spatial experiences”

About Apartamento Calmo
What was the initial brief for Apartamento Calmo?
How did Palma’s local context or architectural history influence your approach?
From the moment we first entered the space, it sparked a wealth of ideas. Our intention was to create a calm and warm retreat within an urban setting. Santa Catalina, one of Palma’s oldest neighborhoods, evolved from a fishermen’s and maritime quarter into a dynamic urban district. Shaped by its industrial past, it has grown into a vibrant and defining part of the city. Holding this layered history in mind, we followed our instinct to design a space where historic character and contemporary living coexist

How did you approach the spatial layout?
Were there specific constraints or opportunities in the existing plan?
The layout presented a central challenge: how to design a home in the heart of the city that adapts to diverse lifestyles and family constellations. The solution was a flexible arrangement with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen fully integrated into an open living area, a spatial core designed to bring people together.

Materiality & Atmosphere:

How did you choose the material palette and finishes?
The use of local and natural materials was fundamental to the project. Working with Kerakoll allowed us to apply a natural finish for the flooring throughout the apartment, creating a cohesive material language. Interestingly, the bathrooms were not initially planned with tiles. However, after visiting Huguet, we reimagined both spaces to incorporate their products, seamlessly integrating them into Apartamento Calmo’s overall narrative.

Like the bathrooms, our thinking around the doors evolved during the process. We spent days traveling across the island in search of doors that could bridge modernity and tradition. Those journeys ultimately led us to introduce significantly larger doors, recreating the spatial atmosphere and sense of generosity we experienced along the way.

What emotions or qualities were you aiming to evoke in the space?
At the core of Apartamento Calmo lies one of its most personal elements: an integrated art space conceived as a living gallery. This curated collection reflects our connection to the island, bringing together objects discovered during our explorations of its many landscapes. Each piece holds a memory of a place, a moment, a story. More than decoration, the installation embodies slow wandering, local craftsmanship, and the beauty encountered along the journey

What made you choose to collaborate with CUBRO, and what did you see in our approach or products that aligned with your vision?

The kitchen concept evolved through our research into Santa Catalina’s history. We envisioned a space that reflects the area’s character while meeting high standards of quality, durability, and contemporary design. Working with Spanish production was essential. CUBRO’s waste conscious approach aligned perfectly with our values, combining craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics. Their collaboration with local stone manufacturers and their support from planning through completion made the decision a natural one