Located in Barcelona’s Gracia district, this traditional two-storey building has been transformed by m-i-r-a architecture to include three contemporary apartments. Each unit has been carefully re-worked to provide modern living space while retaining the charm of the original Catalan architecture.
Called ALBA, the building’s alabaster façade is features traditional stucco detailing and contrasting dark-brown windows, typical elements of a Gracia townhouse.
Inside, spaces feel refreshed but not overdone as original features and shapes inspire the finished design. Floors are lined with traditional ceramic tiles and vaulted Catalan ceilings float overhead while original exposed brick walls add texture and depth. Polished concrete floors extend through each property, adding a neutral element that complements the decorative floor tiles.
Thanks to large windows and glass terraced doors, the apartments are flooded with natural light, which is amplified by the white hues of the walls.
A central corridor illuminated by multiple pine-framed windows and glass-panelled doors welcomes guests to the ground floor apartment. A large main bedroom and ensuite are positioned at the front of the apartment, while an open kitchen/living/dining area behind transitions to one of the terraces. A wide passageway guides towards the second bedroom and larger outdoor patio.
The second apartment is characterized by exposed brickwork and an open vaulted ceiling. With a feeling that is both rustic and modern, light comes from both ends of the apartment, including the traditional balcony in the main bedroom and several full-length windows in the living area.
On the upper floor, a stairwell connects the third apartment to an open rooftop terrace enclosed by ‘Escardejat’ walls, an element of traditional Catalan architecture.
