Apartment Renovation in Barcelona

Industrial footprint

The refurbished apartment is located in a former industrial building from the 1950s in the Guinardó neighborhood of Barcelona.

Existing Structure

Originally designed as a small open-plan workshop, the space’s most compelling feature was its structural framework -concrete frames supporting slabs of concrete joists and ceramic vaults- partially concealed by layers of modifications over time. The renovation began with the removal of these later additions, unveiling the building’s original architectural essence.

Spatial Organization

The reorganization of the space is defined by two custom-built furniture elements that highlight the existing structural grid, establishing a clear distinction between the original architecture and the new interventions, between the permanent and the ephemeral. These elements structure the interior layout, maintaining a sense of permeability, allowing natural light to reach the deepest areas of the apartment, and integrating essential storage solutions.

The program is arranged into three distinct zones, following the rhythm of the structural framework. Entry is through the kitchen, the brightest area, which opens onto the main façade. At the core of the home lies a flexible, 40m2 multipurpose space, spanning two structural modules. The final zone houses the bedroom and bathroom, with the latter designed as a self-contained, almost intangible volume. An existing door has been repurposed for bathroom access, while certain original industrial elements anchored to the walls remain untouched, preserving the site’s historical memory.

Material Palette

Materiality plays a defining role in the project, with exposed ceramic walls, pine wood furniture, and new stoneware flooring that extends seamlessly throughout the apartment. A secondary tile format is subtly introduced to mark transitions, emphasizing key thresholds within the space.