Picture Windows and Sliding Doors Work Magic in This Cozy Barcelona Home
Clever interventions make the home feel larger than its compact 721 square feet.
To transform what had been a dark and compartmentalized house, architect Masaaki Higashi of Mas-aqui in Barcelona focused on two concepts: Akari, a Japanese term embracing the emotional power of light, and polyvalence, a space's ability to be adapted for multiple uses.
To address akari, Higashi opened up windows throughout the structure and cut large skylights out of its core, which brighten not only the kitchen directly below, but also the open dining room, living area, and master bedroom. In addition, a new overhanging staircase "spills light" from the top floor terrace.
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Get the Pro Newsletter
What’s new in the design world? Stay up to date with our essential dispatches for design professionals.
Jose Hevia
Furnishings are minimal, mostly built-ins of pale wood, and colors are neutral and natural so that nothing detracts from the weightlessness of the bright, open space. The white walls reflect the light, making the rooms appear larger, and the volta catalana arches in the ceiling catch and reflect the light as well.
Jose Hevia
Higashi relied on Japanese sliding doors to achieve polyvalence within the space, which he felt was necessary given the size of the house. On the second floor, a large sliding door separates the kitchen from the master bedroom and bathroom. When the door is left open, the corridor view flows naturally to the large bedroom window. When closed, the bedroom disappears, its own separate, private escape.
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
The first floor is at once the vestibule, a corridor, a second bedroom, and a study. The red tile Higashi used evokes a "traditional village house."
Jose Hevia
Here, the clever sliding door system consists of five doors sliding on a dual track to permit this versatility of space. Close one door and the bedroom becomes a separate room, open another door and the corridor opens into a bigger work study space.
Shop the Look
Muuto Visu Chair – Sled Base
The simple style and lightweight convenience of the Muuto Visu Chair - Sled Base make it suitable for use just about anywhere: the dining room, office, conference room, etc. It features a molded and lacquered plywood shell seat atop a CNC-bent and powder coated steel sled base. Stackable for compact storage when not in use. Muuto is firmly rooted in Scandinavian design, hand-picking the best designers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Their name is inspired by the Finnish word “muutos,” meaning “change” or “new perspective,” and it is this concept that embodies the spirit within each and every piece. Their fearless, sometimes exclusive, use of raw materials such as bulbs, plastics, and metals, represents the great diversity, innovation, and character of true Scandinavian design. Photo courtesy of Danish Design Store
shopHay Copenhague 90 Desk
In collaboration with HAY, brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec designed the Copenhague 90 Desk (2013) as part of a furniture series created for the University of Copenhagen. The school’s requirements included functionality, durability, ease of cleaning, and a welcoming expression. The designers responded with the space-saving CPH 90 Desk, topped with new nanotech linoleum featuring a soft-touch ultra-matte finish that’s resistant to fingerprints and easy to clean. Made in Denmark.
ShopCanal White Table Lamp
Luck be a lamp that lights up the room before the switch gets flipped. By virtue of its friendly style and appealing elegance, the sleek and strong silhouette of this table lamp is equal parts lighthearted cool and modern glam. Equipped with a matte brass arm and glossy white steel base and adjustable shade with dip switch, it provides ample light and tilts according to your mood. Reading nook, here you come.
Shop
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Jose Hevia
Finally, the top floor opens onto a red tile terrace with views over Barcelona. "It is a small house," Higashi adds, "but we have adapted it to be enjoyed at all times and all kinds of activities: Meetings, cooking, working, relaxing can all happen here."
Jose Hevia
A collection of images from before the Mas-aqui renovation.
Jose Hevia
More by Mas-aqui: A Barcelona Couple Turn a Warehouse Addition Into a Live/Work Space
Project Credits:
Architect & Designer: Mas-aqui (architect Masaaki Higashi and artist Esther Mir) / @masaqui.architecture
General Contractor: REHAB design
Photographer: José Hevia
Published
Topics
Home Tours