An old workshop in Poble Sec Barcelona, has prompted the FFWD Arquitectos studio to accept the main challenge of adapting the space to the new residential use while preserving all the construction elements that give it character and uniqueness
The state of the building's structural elements was precarious. The stone and brick walls, as well as the curved tiles, were hidden behind a thick layer of plaster and mortar. The wooden beams had been damaged by a severe termite issue that required securing the entire building.
Furthermore, natural light had multiple forms to become part of the project by FFWD Arquitectos, specialized in house renovation projects and structure recovery. Its configuration allowed working with street-facing openings with translucent glass to preserve privacy inside, as the structure already had a patio to orient the viewpoint of the main areas of the house.
The existing elements that the architects want to preserve, restore, and enhance represent the main value of this housing construction project: the walls and the ceiling.
One of the first issues to solve was the different level of the pavement, due to the double entrance at different levels from the street. When entering, the transition from the primary level to the courtyard level is about 45cm in height difference. For this reason, a small staircase dividing the two areas was created.
The fixed furniture elements of the house are inspired by the textures of the sidewalks in pure urban style: the large sofa, the work benches of the kitchens, furniture, and other elements of the bathroom
Among the areas created from scratch during the design phase, there are the bathrooms, the changing rooms, and the sleeping area separated from the rest of the loft.
The only requirement of the client was to divide the spaces between a small apartment for frequent visits throughout the year and an accessory space that would function as a studio. The latter, separated from the rest, would not disturb the stay of the guests in the house, allowing the owner to work in his office. The space is therefore configured into two distinct areas that can operate completely independently.
