Rebirth of a modernist house: interior design between history and innovation

A neoclassical palace hiding a modernist soul

As soon as you cross the threshold of this residence, you are faced with a fascinating visual contrast: the original doors and windows are still there, bearing witness to the authenticity of the place. The hydraulic floors and the galleries with light filtering in from outside bring to mind the splendor of Catalan modernism. However, the modernist spirit seems to fade as you delve deeper. In the 1950s, the original charm was partly obscured by the introduction of sumptuous neoclassical elements: travertine marble columns, pillars, medallions, and decorative figures, aimed at creating an image of luxury and opulence.

When the building was renovated and the main aisles were merged together, structural reinforcements were added, then camouflaged in a neoclassical style. These interventions not only altered the original spirit of the house but transformed it into a kind of neoclassical palace that concealed beneath its skin a much older and fascinating history.

The challenge of a transformation project: balancing tradition and modernity

The mission for the architecture and interior design firm Estudio Vilablanch, which took on this project, was not simple: what to do with those neoclassical decorative layers, added later, that almost suffocated the modernity of the house? Removing everything and starting from scratch would have been a radical choice, but it would have also been like erasing a chapter of that house's history. The goal, instead, was to find a way to make the past and future, modernism and neoclassicism, coexist in a harmonious dialogue.

Furthermore, the major challenge was to make this 650 m² house not only beautiful but also functional. It had to be a welcoming retreat for two people in moments of intimacy, and at the same time a livable space for 14 people when the family gathered. The right idea came from the architectural legacy of José Antonio Coderch, who in his project La Herencia had conceived a flexible floor plan, capable of adapting to the changing needs of a family.

Flexible Solutions: Modular Living

Coderch's inspiration led to finding the perfect solution: sliding doors and hermetic locks, that could separate or unite the areas of the house according to the needs. Now the house can be configured as a single space with seven rooms or divided into two apartments with independent entrances. A modular system that not only optimizes the use of spaces, but also perfectly adapts to the dynamic life of a modern family.

The power of color: a tale of layers and transformations

One of the boldest and most creative interventions of this project was the choice to use color as a tool for storytelling. Every corner of the house was designed to narrate a visual story, where color marks the passage of time and the different phases that this dwelling has gone through.

The main aisles were enveloped in ribbons of intense color, creating a marking effect on the floors, ceilings, and walls perpendicular to the facade. The parallel walls, on the other hand, maintain their original white color, as if to respect the purity and harmony of the space. Neoclassical elements were accentuated with shades of blue and green, paying homage to the colors of the original facades and carpentry.

In the secondary aisles, ornamental details were removed, revealing a hidden industrial beauty: iron beams, pillars, and vaulted ceilings that bring to light the skeleton of the house, a memory of its most authentic past. Finally, the spaces that still retain modernist elements were painted white, a simple yet powerful gesture that restores light and dignity to the original moldings and wooden carpentry.

A Second Life: Promoting Reuse, Not Demolition

This work represents one of the projects of historical houses, a brilliant example of how respect for the past can coexist with innovation and modernity. The intervention, based on the use of color as a narrative element, not only brought the spaces back to life but also promoted the reuse of elements added 70 years ago, avoiding demolition. In this way, the house has transformed into an example of sustainability and architectural creativity, a place where the past is not erased but reinterpreted with respect and humor.