Comprehensive Housing Renovation in Barcelona, The intervention consists of the rehabilitation of two late 19th-century houses with varying degrees of intervention in the old core of Sarrià. Although the façade is protected, over time the interior has undergone extensive modifications that have removed the vast majority of original finishes and coverings.
© José Hevia
The first phase of the intervention involves removing all elements that lack interest and highlighting the original features. Where no vestiges remained, added elements have been removed, revealing the original structure. The different interventions are exposed: the original brick vaults, the later steel supports, the type of brick from each intervention, and the cast iron pillar galleries. The proposal aims to avoid intervening in the load-bearing walls as much as possible and adapts the new layout to the existing openings.
© José Hevia
The layout consists of two duplex-style homes connected by a communal staircase. The lower floor houses the living areas of the homes, while the upper floor features the sleeping areas. The main rooms are located on the façades, while the interior space is reserved for wet areas. The intervention also includes the addition of insulation through an interior facing with high-density gypsum and cement panels that help maintain the thermal inertia of the original construction.
© José Hevia
The new central cores are finished with oak wood paneling. The flooring is resolved with a continuous terrazzo that accommodates the underfloor heating system. The headboards and other furniture elements are also finished in oak wood.
© José Hevia
The living room and dining room share the south façade. The walls are presented without coverings, except for the historic false ceiling with plaster moldings. The rectangular beams of the upper floor respond to the existence of some old attics that were later adapted for use as living space.
Project Info
Architects: LAOS (Xavier Botet + Albert Saboya), Laura Bongiovanni
Country: Barcelona, Spain
Area: 400 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: José Hevia
Leading Architects: Xavier Botet, Laura Bongiovanni
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture's role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.