From Run-Down House to a Dream Home in Mallorca: The Design of Dave’s Mallorca Home Starts Taking Shape

Dave’s Mallorca project is moving forward on several fronts. While the construction team continues working on the building itself, attention is gradually shifting towards another important part of the project: how the finished home will look and function.

In this episode, there is progress on the roof, preparations for the pool foundation and work on the underground infrastructure. Dave also welcomes two special visitors who help him take the first steps towards defining the interior design of his future home.

And, of course, the community gets involved once again. After receiving hundreds of design proposals, Dave has selected three favourites that he wants to share with everyone.

The episode begins with another delivery to the construction site. This time, steel reinforcement arrives for the pool floor slab. The weather is not suitable for pouring the concrete just yet, but having the materials ready means that the necessary preparations can continue.

At the same time, work is progressing on the trenches for the property’s infrastructure. Fresh water, wastewater and electricity all need their own routes, which means careful planning and coordination before the pipes and cables can be installed.

Dave and Niklas have already spent time marking out the planned positions. Using a measuring tape, a drone, marking spray and the construction plans, they identified important points such as the entrance gate, the future driveway and the routes connecting the house with the different infrastructure areas.

However, one detail needs to be reconsidered. A communication error meant that one of the trenches was dug along the current access route. The intention is to adjust the future driveway slightly so that vehicles do not appear to drive directly towards the pool or the terrace, where people will eventually be relaxing.

It is a good example of how important clear communication and accurate planning are during a construction project. Even when everything has been discussed beforehand, small misunderstandings can affect the work on site. The route will therefore need to be marked again before the next steps can be completed.

Away from the construction work, Dave is dealing with a much more personal challenge. He explains that he has been feeling extremely unwell, with a fever reaching up to 40°C, severe aches, weakness and difficulty breathing.

For two to two and a half days, he has barely been able to eat. He has spent time in his tent and has also been to hospital to have samples taken.

Dave suspects that Legionella could be a possible explanation. He mentions the temporary water tank at the campsite and the garden hoses, where water may have been standing in warm conditions during the summer heat. However, at this point, there is no confirmed diagnosis. The hospital has taken samples, and Dave says he will share further information when he knows more.

Being ill on a construction site is particularly difficult when you are largely on your own. Dave is not only documenting the project and filming the progress but also has to organise his daily life, prepare food and go shopping.

His situation is a reminder that a project like this involves much more than what happens on site. There is also the everyday reality behind the scenes, with unexpected difficulties that cannot always be planned for.

Rebuilding the Traditional Stone Façade

Another part of the work that is gradually taking shape is the exterior stone wall.

The original stones are being used to rebuild the façade, with each individual piece carefully shaped and positioned by hand. The wall is expected to reach approximately 2.5 metres in height.

Dave estimates that only around five per cent of the wall has been completed so far. He admits that he underestimated how much time this work would require.

The process is slow because every stone needs to be prepared individually. Nevertheless, Dave is pleased with the result and appreciates the craftsmanship involved.

Preserving the traditional appearance of the property is an important part of the project. The stone façade helps maintain the character of the original Mallorcan building while the house gradually develops into a modern home.

Planning the Master Bedroom and Kitchen

The first discussions focus on the master bedroom and its adjoining bathroom.

Instead of relying exclusively on floor plans, the team uses chalk to mark out the different areas directly on the floor. Building materials and other objects are temporarily arranged to represent furniture and help everyone understand the proportions of the rooms.

This makes it easier to visualise how much space will be available and how the individual elements will fit together.

The kitchen is another major topic. Dave and the OBS team begin exploring possible layouts using drawings and sketches.

An important consideration is how the house will be used throughout the year. During the summer, Dave expects to spend more time outdoors and host more guests. An outdoor kitchen will therefore play a significant role in how the living spaces are organised.

The team looks at different possibilities for connecting the kitchen, dining area and living room.

Comparing Different Ground-Floor Layouts

On the second day, the focus shifts to the ground floor.

The original plan places the kitchen on one side, the dining area in the middle and the living room towards the back of the house.

The OBS team suggests an alternative arrangement. In this version, the dining area moves to a different position, while the kitchen island becomes a more central element. The living room remains towards the back.

This layout could improve the flow between the different areas and make better use of the available space. However, Dave has some reservations, particularly about having the kitchen too close to the living room.

Together, they compare the options, looking at movement through the rooms, sightlines and the relationship between the individual spaces.

After considering the alternatives, Dave decides to keep the original arrangement. The kitchen will remain in its designated alcove, with the dining table positioned in the more open area.

The discussions show that good interior design is not simply about making a room look attractive. It is also about understanding how people will use it and finding a layout that feels right in everyday life.

Rethinking the Master Bathroom

The master bedroom and bathroom also require some important decisions.

At one point, Dave considers whether the guest bedroom could double as a dressing room when he is living in the house on his own. But the situation changes when guests are staying over, which makes the idea less straightforward.

There are several possibilities to consider, and each one comes with advantages and compromises.

Eventually, Dave decides to remove the wardrobe from the master bedroom. This creates more room for a larger bathroom, which becomes the preferred solution.

The exact design and details will be revealed in a later episode, but the decision already shows how the planning process is developing. Rather than sticking rigidly to the first idea, Dave is willing to rethink individual elements to create a home that works better for him.

1. Leon Süyling – A Strong Architectural Concept

Leon Süyling’s proposal stands out particularly for its architectural layout.

The design rethinks several areas of the house, including the entrance, bathroom and kitchen. The toilet is positioned in a niche, while the sink is placed near the window to create more room for the shower.

The space underneath the stairs is also used more effectively, incorporating storage and a seating area.

One of the most noticeable ideas is the kitchen island, which is rotated by 90 degrees and connected to a long dining table. In the living area, furniture helps separate the dining and lounge spaces while also concealing the television.

The office and guest room are designed to serve more than one purpose, with a desk and a fold-away bed. The proposal also includes changes to the guest bathroom and the master suite.

Dave particularly likes the overall layout, although he has some concerns about the movement between the indoor and outdoor areas around the kitchen island.

The proposal also considers the pool and terrace area, where plants help create a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

2. Nikolas Flatmann – A Bold Colour and Material Concept

Nikolas Flatmann takes a very different approach, focusing strongly on colours and materials.

His concept uses colour to distinguish between different types of spaces throughout the house.

The more active areas, such as the kitchen, living room, hallway and terrace, are represented in red. The quieter retreat areas, including the bedrooms, are blue. Bathrooms are highlighted in green.

The design also combines dark wood, marble and exposed concrete to create a distinctive overall appearance.

Dave likes the fact that the proposal follows a clear concept. Rather than choosing individual colours and materials without a common direction, the design creates a consistent visual identity throughout the house.

He also says that he can see himself living in this kind of environment.

3. Inna and Marius – Casa Abierta

The third finalist is the proposal by Inna and Marius, called Casa Abierta.

Their concept combines architecture, materials and colour in a particularly cohesive way. The kitchen, dining area and living room are designed as flowing spaces, with unusual furniture shapes helping to define the individual areas.

The dining table and sofa introduce softer, curved forms, while the television is integrated into furniture rather than becoming the main focus of the living room.

The proposal also makes thoughtful use of the office and guest room. A long desk provides workspace, while the guest room combines sleeping and storage functions in a compact arrangement.

In the master bathroom, symmetry and the positioning of the different elements play an important role.

One particularly practical idea is the use of furniture that can be folded away. A bed and desk can be integrated into the office/guest room, allowing the space to be used flexibly depending on the situation. This would be especially useful when Dave’s team visits and additional workspace is needed.

Dave is impressed by the proposal and appreciates its understated approach to materials and design.

The Community Gets to Decide

After presenting the three finalists, Dave invites the community to take part in the decision.

The selected designs will be linked in the video description, provided the finalists agree. Viewers can then look through the proposals and vote for their favourite.

The winning design will be announced in a future episode.

It is another example of how the project has become more than just a building site. The people following Dave’s journey are now able to contribute their own ideas and influence parts of the future home.

Chapter 8 brings together several different aspects of the renovation. The construction work continues, the roof is almost complete and the traditional stone façade is slowly being rebuilt.

At the same time, the interior design is becoming more concrete. With the help of Matthias and Johannes from OBS, Dave is comparing layouts, reconsidering individual rooms and beginning to define the style of his future home.

The hundreds of community submissions add another dimension to the process, with three very different concepts now competing for the audience’s vote.

There is still a long way to go, but the project is gradually moving from the initial construction plans towards a home with its own character.

And as Dave reminds his viewers at the end of the episode, he hopes to be feeling much better by the following week. For now, he wishes everyone good health.

[LINK TO THE VIDEO OF CHAPTER 8]