Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Architect Carles Enrich converted an old laundry space in Barcelona into an apartment that has a bookshelf merged with the staircase (+ slideshow).

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Carles Enrich slotted three levels into the single-storey space to turn the dilapidated basement into a studio apartment for a young family, located in the Gràcia neighbourhood of the Catalan capital.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

“[The project] is a fantastic opportunity to rethink the use of an unused place and optimise the conditions of the space,” said Enrich.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

To create enough floor area, the south west portion of the long narrow plot was excavated to form a study and nursery.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Above this, a raised bedroom is supported on rows of black I-beams fixed to the wall on one side.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

The other ends connect to vertical sections along the edge of the mezzanine, housing bookshelves in between that create low partitions.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

The tops of the columns attach to more horizontal beams bolted to the opposite wall, high enough for people to walk underneath.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Steps up to the bedroom are suspended from the last two beams using thinner black metal elements. On the ground floor is the dining, kitchen and seating area.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

A pergola-covered courtyard sits between this main building and a smaller single-storey volume containing more living space, with a terrace on its roof.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

This outdoor living area can be seen from all spaces apart from the enclosed bathroom.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Original masonry walls and the small ceramic ceiling vaults between wooden beams were retained and exposed where possible. Brick and plasterwork have been painted white on most other walls.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

The floor of the middle level is finished in a layer of polished concrete screed, while furniture and flooring downstairs are made from light wood.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

Other apartments with combined bookshelf and staircases include another Barcelona apartment renovation, a loft conversion in north London and a South Korean house that also has an indoor slide.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

See more combined bookshelves and staircases »
See more apartment interiors »
See more architecture and design in Barcelona »

More information from Carles Enrich follows:


Refurbishment of a studio-apartment in Gracia, Barcelona

The reconversion of an old laundry in the Gracia neighbourhood in a studio-apartment for a young family is a fantastic opportunity to rethink the use of an unused place and optimise the conditions of the space.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich

We propose to live in an open space, with the exception of the bathroom that is the only enclosed room. All the activities take place in a single space with visual contact of the interior patio. To achieve this, all the partitions that surrounded small rooms without natural light or ventilation where eliminated and the openings to the patio were extended.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich
Ground and lower floor plan – click for larger image

The original materials are recovered, such as the brick walls, the ceramic ceiling and the wooden beams.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich
Upper level plan – click for larger image

The lower excavation enables the incorporation of a loft made of metallic beams and a three-centimetre wood board, which works as an independent living area inside another bigger area, without being never enclosed room. This small loft is meant more like a suspended furniture than a room.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich
Long section – click for larger image

An old storage room at the back of the plot is converted into a satellite studio that operates independently from the main space. This fragmentation of the program makes the patio an intermediate space that can be used as an outdoor room most part of the year.

Renovation of an apartment in Barcelona by Carles Enrich
Cross section – click for larger image

A pergola made of metal beams and a cane network provides privacy and climate control. The progressive growth of plants and trees generate a natural environment within the dense urban area.

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by Carles Enrich
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