Recovery of a Loft in Catalonia. Combining character and uniqueness of the building

An old workshop in Poble Sec Barcelona pushed the FFWD Arquitectos studio to accept the main challenge of adapting the space for new residential use while preserving all the construction elements that give it character and uniqueness.

The state of the building elements was precarious. The stone and brick walls, as well as the curved tiles, were hidden behind the thick layer of plaster and mortar. The wooden beams had a serious termite problem which affected the safety of the entire building.

In addition, the local light had more voices. Its configuration made it possible to work with openings facing the street with translucent glass to preserve privacy inside, because it would have a patio on which the views of the main areas of the house could be oriented.

The existing elements that the architects wanted to preserve, restore and enhance were the highest value of the housing project: walls and ceiling. So, which will be the sidewalk used for the implementation of the new element by articulating the spaces of the project.

This becomes a continuous magma that colonizes local base and provides a fluid space as well as the various resulting hierarchical levels and volumes

The first step was to solve the different levels of the pavement, avoiding having two entrances at different levels from the street level. When accessing the passage from the primary level to the level of the courtyard there is about 45cm height difference

Secondly, the fixed furnishings of the house were inspired by the sidewalk, the creation of a sofa, kitchen workbenches, furniture and other elements of the bathroom

Among the areas created by the new design, there are spaces such as bathrooms and changing rooms. The design of the space also included the creation of a sleeping area separate from the rest of the loft.

The unique functional requirements arise from the housing set by the owner. Who needed a small apartment to have frequent visits throughout the year. By the time this space accessory came along, it would function as a study and office during the time that the guests were in the house. It is for this reason