Alventosa Morell Arquitectes renovated an old aparment in Barcelona, revealing its original elements through a contemporary, minimalist approach.
Photography © Adrià Goula
Photography © Adrià Goula
The object of
the reform work was an apartment situated in an old block of flats. It was
built in 1900, in the Born district, in Barcelona. Although its antiquity, this
storey did not show any element of the original construction. It has had
different renovations, and one after the other were adding new coats or layers,
and so the typical elements of the style of construction at the beginning of
the XX century were hidden.
Adhering to the
clients demands a completely renewed apartment was created. Where there were a
storey with many rooms with poor natural daylighting and salubriousness
problems, new spaces and volumes gave the apartment a completely different
dimension, in addition to the value of the original details renovated.
The aim of our
project was based on two ideas. On one hand, detect, recuperate and show
the structural original elements of a
high historic and constructive value; and on the other hand, generate a
diaphanous space to improve the lighting conditions and natural ventilation
existing.
The basic
constructive decisions of the project has been to remove every non-load-bearing
partition, and the false ceiling. And then:
Repair, paint and put on view the original ceiling, made
of wooden beams and small ceramic vaults.
Clean all the existing party wall. We also eliminate
the remaining paper and plaster on it, before the painting work. The objective
is to leave this party wall on show, making its texture remarkable.
Respect and emphasise the original lintels, after
discovering two of them, made of wood, which needed restoring and cleaning. We
did not paint them in order to show their singularity.
Change all the finish floor. Because of its bad
conditions, it has been removed and replaced by a continuous one, made of grey
cement which provides a lightweight flooring.
A large,
longitudinal piece of furniture, made of wood, organizes the design of the
apartment. It contains all the wardrobes needed and,allows to separate the day
and night spaces.
The idea behind
the project was to design a new continuous and diaphone space, with important
natural light and cross ventilation. The kitchen and de dining room are
connected with the living room, highlighting the original lintel, made of wood;
and the stone wall from 1900, where it leans.
Throughout a
scheme of simplicity, our project for the rehabilitation of this old and nice
apartment called for improving lighting and spaces; has been real.
We feel proud
because the aims of our project are achieved, besides the significance acquired
by the old constructive elements.
Source: Alventosa Morell Arquitectes
