Tower Transformation
At first sight, this bijoux building in the heart of Barcelona, with its elegant facade and cute balconies, looks like a gem. The interior, however, was another story. The four-storey building had been disused and occupied by squatters for many years, with significant structural damage to the floors and stairs. Luckily, the team at Raul Sanchez Architects bravely took on the project and successfully transformed it into a remarkable family home.
The renovation involved the demolition of all floors, stairs and beams, leaving just the four walls of the building and the roof. The exposed brickwork reveals layers of history, now proudly on display. The new floors stop at a respectable distance from the front wall, the gaps bridged by glass panels which highlight the brick wall and also enable light to penetrate deep into the rooms. A void at the back fulfils a similar function, in addition to showcasing a spectacular freestanding spiral staircase that reaches all the way to the roof terrace.
The space inside is surprisingly small, 85 square metres in total with each floor barely over 20 square metres. The ground floor houses the kitchen, its matte brass panels in striking contrast to the rough brick walls. The other floors contain a living room, a bathroom-cum-dressing room and a bedroom. The ground and first and floors have beautiful geometric tiles, whilst the upper floors feature wooden floor boards and polished concrete in soothing tones.
The crowning glory of the building is the facade, restored under strict guidance from the heritage department to a state which perhaps surpasses its previous condition. The only addition to the facade is a new front door, cleverly incorporated into an aluminium panel with a striking graphic pattern inspired by the classic tiles found inside the building. This contemporary flourish to a classic structure is a fitting tribute to this imaginative reconstruction.
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Product Inspiration
We love the classic with a contemporary twist look of the BSP20 House. For a similar vibe try the Portofino sofa from Ghidini 1961, the Exchange two seater chair from Stellar Works and the Redondo bed from Moroso.
Discrete lighting is great for highlighting structural features. Try the Masai floor-suspension light from Davide Groppi, the Baby Dome table lamp from Mater and the A-Tube ceiling light from Lodes.
For accessories, go for sleek finishes in contrast with the rough brick walls, such as the Andromeda bowl from Agrippa or the Stomach carafe from Atelier Polyhedre. Alternatively, recreate the rough brick wall effect with the Materials wallpaer by Piet Hein Eek from NLXL.
