Recovery in Barcelona. Light and mirrors emphasize the original materials

The client, fascinated by the centre of Barcelona, had a very clear layout in mind. He wanted a spacious accommodation during his occasional visits to the city and to host his friends

The kitchen is at the centre of everything, serving as a meeting point, more like a bar than a family space. It also had to be complemented by a wine cellar for more than 600 bottles. The living area was designed towards these precious openings facing the frenetic pace of the city

The project begins by allocating the living room to the outermost space, between the façade and the first load-bearing wall, mixing it with the next space towards the inside. These two spaces were originally separated by a load-bearing wall, which partially led to the creation of two large openings that helped to bring both spaces together. All daytime activities occupy 60 sqm of the total 118 sqm, leaving the rest of the rooms adjacent to the two patios of the building

The master bedroom with a bathroom is close to the entrance and opens to the most intimate patio. The bathtub is in the bedroom and the large wardrobe separates it from the hallway. Further down the corridor there is a guest bathroom with the bedroom right in front of it, which opens to the main atrium of the house staircase. Adjacent to the guest bedroom, with direct access to the kitchen is the cellar

There was a large amount of windows for a layout with such a small amount of rooms. The apartment has 10 exterior openings, including windows and French windows on the balcony. To increase the presence of these openings and to increase their presence, mirrors were used to emphasize the architecture at the beginning of the previous century. In the corridor with 3 large windows overlooking the atrium of the building, very large mirrored panels have been inserted to increase the number of views and give the space a more diaphanous character. It is the same with the remaining part of the load-bearing wall which has been demolished, disappearing on the vertical and single mirror. In this case, the mirror disintegrates into the wall, bringing attention to the two balcony doors and allowing the cook to control the shelves behind them while entertaining the guests

The high ceilings have made it possible to install horizontal windows that bring light to the darkest areas of the apartment, making each space more airy without compromising privacy

The project has recovered the original characteristics of the materials, such as ceramic slabs, ceramic tiles and iron beams in the ceilings. The remaining are noble materials: wood, granite, steel and glass, all in neutral tones, except for the granite used in the kitchen and bathrooms. Stromboli granite assumes a strong role within the space with its dark and black character for its gold stripes, in contrast to the light tones of the hexagonal floor, typical of the extension

The contemporary and warm finishes highlight the original environment, which is modified only to bring back a more truthful spirit to the architecture of the building and to make it more comfortable for a lifestyle appropriate to the present day