Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Hotel Ibaia

Site: Gordexola, Bizkaia
Design: 2010
Construction: 2008 – 2010

The Hotel Ibaia, also known as Komentu Maitea, is located in the Gordexola Valley in Bizkaia, just a few minutes from Bilbao. The project restores the former Convent of Santa Isabel, a 17th-century building of significant historical and architectural value, transforming it into a four-star hotel that combines heritage, design, and gastronomy.

Angulo Arquitectura undertook a comprehensive renovation that respects the identity of the original building while adapting its spaces to modern needs. The result is a project where historical architecture and contemporary intervention coexist harmoniously, preserving the essence of the convent and giving it a new lease of life.

The restoration of a building with centuries of history

The former Convent of Santa Isabel originated as a beguinage founded in the early 16th century next to the hermitage of San Andrés, in the Ibarra neighborhood. Over time, the complex evolved into one of the most representative historical buildings in the Gordexola Valley.

The rehabilitation of the building has allowed the recovery of this architectural heritage, respecting its historical value and guaranteeing its conservation for future generations.

A renovation that unites heritage and contemporary architecture

The project is based on a clear premise: to preserve the elements that define the building’s identity and integrate them into a new hotel program.

The stone walls, the original structure, and the most representative spaces of the former convent are carefully restored and coexist with new materials, installations, and architectural solutions that improve the building’s comfort and functionality without altering its historical character.

The intervention aims to ensure that the original architecture remains the protagonist, incorporating only those elements necessary to adapt the building to its new use.

Gastronomy as the project’s focus

One of the most unique aspects of the renovation is the importance given to the gastronomic space. The restaurant becomes the heart of the complex and one of the hotel’s main attractions, reinforcing the link between architecture, culture, and the culinary tradition of Bizkaia.

This decision allows the building to maintain its character as a meeting place, offering an experience that goes beyond mere accommodation.

Welcoming spaces steeped in history

The interior blends traditional materials with contemporary finishes to create warm, elegant, and functional environments. Stone, wood, and natural light enhance the building’s character, while the rooms and common areas offer the comforts of a modern hotel.

Each space has been designed so that visitors can appreciate the history of the former convent without sacrificing contemporary amenities.

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

During the project phase, we worked with an ‘experience laboratory,’ which helped conceptualize the various spaces in the hotel

Borja Angulo
Architect

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Reforma, rehabilitación y diseño de hotel en Gordexola, Bizkaia

Información sobre el proyecto

Project Title
Hotel Ibaia
Location
Gordexola, Bizkaia
Project Year
2008
Construction
2008 – 2010
Program
4-star Boutique Hotel with 60 rooms
Angulo Arq Team
Borja Angulo, Pedro Antuñano, Oihane Arbaiza.
Engineering
Aialme Ingenieros
Plot surface
10000 m²
Total Built Area
5750 m²

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