When Tas Careaga first saw his 16thcentury church it was advertised for sale as a “land plot with buildin ruins”. Abandoned for decades the town has 6 other churches for a population of 2000 it was being sold by the local bishopric for very little, but the new owner was required to rebuild it.

Careaga and friends spent 3 months just clearing the structure of debris before starting work to turn the relic into a home.

With help from his architect friend Carlos Garmendia, Careaga preserved the openfeeling of the space by adding only one wall (for a bathroom on the 2nd floor). The cupola now houses a very highceilinged kitchen with art gallery walls.

Most of the church celebrates the 10meter (30foot) ceilings created 5 centuries ago. In about a quarter of the space, Careaga built a wooden frame to house two openair floors for a 2ndfloor bedroom and 3rdfloor office. Instead of walls or banisters, the first floor relies on just three thin metal cables for the protection of occupants.

The home is deeply personal, filled with furniture from Careaga’s family, religious art from his grandmother, and idiosyncrasies like a slackline to cross the thirtyfootdrop between the office and a secret bedroom above the cupola. Careaga spent 3 years converting the church to his home with mostly his own labor and help from friends. He continues to add new touches, like converting the bell tower into a reading nook and bunk room for guests.

— Carlos Garmendia (architect): https://www.garmendiacordero.com/
— Tas Careaga's projects: http://tascareaga.com/
— Tas' Instagram:   / tascareaga  
— Studio Instagram:   / taslab_  
— Press Reach: https://tascareaga.com/v2/press/
— X:   / tascareaga  

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