Private Residence Refurbishment

Theproject is a Grand Rehabilitation project of an old Neocentist house surrounded by a garden.

The architectural project aims to create a home with a contemporary and minimalist atmosphere without losing the classic structure of late 19th century architecture.

The rehabilitation requires demolishing all the interior walls and slabs and maintaining only the façade.

Special attention is paid to ensuring that the new distribution maintains the dimensions of the old spaces. Rooms are sacrificed to be faithful to the original proportions. In this way, the new walls and distribution maintain practically the same old line and limits. However, special emphasis is placed on the openings and interior spaces that are defined with exaggerated dimensions and proportions. The interior steps and doors are exaggerated in height to enhance and emphasize the height of the ceilings and provide connectivity to the spaces.

The aim is to maintain, through architecture, this air of a Neocentist house at all times, but to open it to the light and the gardens that limit it through fluidity and connection of spaces through large interior and exterior passages.

The objective is to always generate views from side to side of the house longitudinally and always enjoy a green horizon from any point of the house, generating an “urban oasis”.

Steps and openings of more generous proportions than the originals are established to allow maximum light to enter the interior of the home.

The spaces are always related both on a visual and circulation level.

The large swing and sliding doors allow more flexibility and fluidity to the classic layout of the late 19th century. All in all, the result is a fresh and comfortable home with touches that recall the era in which it was built but where the atmosphere is contemporary and modern.

The goal is to create a cozy, minimalist and simple environment. An easy space to live in without complications where the protagonist is the surrounding architecture; the house itself.

There was no doubt in the choice of materials. Noble, natural and simple materials. The most important thing is the carpentry and the floors. Therefore, the highest quality is chosen. French oak for the floor in herringbone shape and wax finish. The walls and wooden carpentry finished white like the walls giving a homogeneous atmosphere.

There was no doubt in the choice of materials. Noble, natural and simple materials. The most important thing is the carpentry and the floors. Therefore, the highest quality is chosen. French oak for the floor in herringbone shape and wax finish. The walls and wooden carpentry finished white like the walls giving a homogeneous atmosphere.

Color is left for furniture and lighting details. For bathrooms; homogeneous walls using lime mortar in light and natural tones and marble for the bathroom furniture.

The lighting becomes part of the furniture. Recessed spotlights are avoided and the different lighting pieces are carefully chosen. For the furniture, pieces of current design and production are combined with old pieces of design classics purchased in galleries or on trips, with special collaboration with the Miquel Alzueta gallery.

With all this, the aim is to create a cozy, minimalist and simple environment. An easy space to live in without complications where the protagonist is the surrounding architecture; the house itself.

Architect: Beatriz Portabella

Team: Clara Badia responsable de Proyecto                                                                                                                                Site Director: Beatriz Portabella, Ayesta Daban                                                                                                                          Costumer: Particular
Area: 600m2
Location:  Barcelona
Dates: 2018-2020
Photographer: Eugeni Pons