Innovative interior architecture project located in a historic early 20th-century apartment in Barcelona's Eixample district. The renovation ingeniously reimagines the existing space to accommodate the evolving needs of a modern family, transforming the underutilized mezzanine into three functional mini duplexes without expanding the apartment's footprint.
Originally renovated in the 1990s with contemporary design elements, the apartment's layout no longer suited the family's lifestyle. The clients sought a redesign that would provide independent workspaces for each family member while preserving the mezzanine, which offered a sense of openness and visual connection within the home.vilablanch
The renovation focused on two primary objectives:
- Optimizing Space Utilization: The existing mezzanine, previously a narrow and non-functional passageway, was transformed into three separate mini duplexes. Each duplex features its own staircase—two leading to the daughters' bedrooms with study areas below, and one connecting the master bedroom's en-suite bathroom to an upper-level bathtub area. These staircases cleverly incorporate built-in wardrobes, maximizing storage without sacrificing space.
- Restoring Original Architectural Elements: The design stripped away the excess materials from the previous renovation, revealing and highlighting the apartment's original features, such as Nolla mosaic flooring, Catalan vaulted ceilings, and ash woodwork. A neutral and subdued material palette was introduced to create a harmonious dialogue between the old and new elements.
Spatial Reconfiguration
- Day Area: The front of the apartment, previously underutilized, was reimagined as an open-plan kitchen and living room, bathed in natural light. This area now serves as the central hub for family activities during the day.
- Workspaces: Dedicated work areas were established for each family member: the mother's study in the gallery overlooking the courtyard, the father's office adjacent to the living room, and individual study spaces for the daughters beneath their respective bedrooms.
- Entrance and Circulation: A welcoming hall was created, enhancing the apartment's flow and providing a clear separation between public and private spaces.
Materiality
The renovation employed High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) boards to enclose the mezzanine and construct the staircases, offering a lightweight yet durable solution that complements the existing iron structure. Continuous flooring replaced the disparate parquet, unifying the apartment's aesthetic and enhancing the sense of space. Neutral tones dominate the color scheme, allowing the restored architectural details to take center stage.
