Atic Aribau Apartment Renovation in Barcelona by Raul Sanchez Architects

Raúl Sánchez Architects have renovated an apartment for a young creative couple in Barcelona’s Eixample district. The original building features chamfered facades characteristic of many structures in the surrounding area. While maintaining and respecting the existing bay of structural, load-bearing walls sitting parallel to the facades, the architects demolished the majority of the interior partitions, making the interior feel less dated and compartmentalized.

Perpendicular to the façade, a floor-to-ceiling oak panel stretches along one half of the apartment, enclosing an area housing the bedroom, dressing room and generous wardrobe. The architects devised the oak panel as the main ‘interior façade’, with three functional ‘blocks’ that project from it containing open living-kitchen-dining space, bathrooms, guest bathrooms and a space for the couple’s cats. Large brass-clad sliding door seamlessly integrates into the oak partition, allowing a touch of bling while providing an uninterrupted surface plain.

With the clients requesting a playful note in the interior, Raúl Sánchez installed a suspended swing in the centre of the living area.

The moody main bathroom is perhaps the most striking feature of the entire apartment, concealed behind reeded black-framed glazed glass screens. A large shower, freestanding bathtub and vanity are contained within, with walls painted in sunset tones of pale lilac, pink and peach. A black marble sink provides striking contrast and definition, echoing the black steel frames of the glass screens.

Micro-cement floors contrast the predominant use of warm oak timber; the only exception being a large section of marble floor in the entryway that matches the stone used for the kitchen island and splashback. Hydraulic hexagonal tiles salvaged from the original floors form an interior path, illuminated by long, narrow cylindrical lamps. Granite, brushed copper fixtures, and textured glass add a subtle material richness throughout.

See more projects from Raúl Sánchez Architects on Yellowtrace here.