House Renovation in Gracia, This is a house for a family of four on the top floor of a 1900’s apartment building located in the center of the Gracia district in Barcelona.
© Judith Casas Sayós
The wooden beams are the only original element (a previous refurbishment had already removed all the original woodwork, floors, and paneling). They are stripped and preserved.
© Judith Casas Sayós
A new continuous flooring, the same for the whole house, combines the color white with fired clay, small pieces to create a greater sense of spaciousness.
© Judith Casas Sayós
The three façades remain almost unchanged, but the aluminum windows are replaced by wooden ones, like the ones that originally existed.
© Judith Casas Sayós
Within this perimeter (ceiling, floor, façades) a new wooden “box” is built which “outside” includes the kitchen, shelves, and storage. Inside, the bedrooms of the teenage daughters are “enclosed”.
© Judith Casas Sayós
At one end of the floor is the common area (the living room and dining room). At the opposite end is the more private area (the parents’ bedroom and bathroom).
© Judith Casas Sayós
Although the available surface area is reduced, each space is designed with precision to allow the interior routes to be fluid and to allow natural light to reach every corner of the house.
© Judith Casas Sayós
The large volume for storage, essential in a permanent family home, has also been designed in detail. A large dressing room storage room occupies the center of the house and a desk corner (stolen from the corridor) is reserved for occasional teleworking. All the furniture is bespoke, using the same range of colors and materials to give a sense of serenity and order to the whole.
© Judith Casas Sayós
Materials are natural and sustainable (marble, mosaic, wood). Thermal comfort is achieved at all times of the year with different strategies: heating with water radiators in winter, artificial air conditioning and cross ventilation in summer, and ceiling fans in between seasons.
Project Info
Architects: Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes
Country: Spain, Barcelona
Area: 753 ft²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Judith Casas Sayós
Manufacturers Hansgrohe, JUNG, Duravit, Grohe, Daikin, FARO Barcelona, Franke, Irsap, Jueric, Marset, Ondarreta, Vaillant, WISA, Wow Design: Hansgrohe
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.