Barcelonians are used to making the most of small apartments—after all, this is a city where group socializing happens on the streets. But once children enter into the family unit, maximizing space is even more importance. “A couple asked us for a space to centralize all domestic activities, such as homework, playing, watching TV, etc.,” explains architect Adrian Elizade of Forma Arquitectura. “Basically, they wanted to keep an eye on the kids while cooking!”

Forma Arquitectura specializes in putting a fresh spin on Barcelona’s cache of modernista apartments—the elegant, aesthetic style that swept over the city in the early 1900s. This particular project has a unique location; a tucked away cul-de-sac in Montjuїc—the foresty mount that towers over Barcelona.

€14,417 Labor	€6,042 Plumbing & Electrical	€7,340 Kitchen Furniture
€1,918 Tile & Stone Countertop	€0 Appliances (Sourced by Homeowner)	€12,820 Wooden Joinery
€3,162 Dining Area Furniture
Grand Total: €45,699

Until recently, this cluster of Spanish villas, citrus-filled gardens, and art nouveau apartment buildings wasn’t even surveyed on official plans: A curious fact that gives weight to Elizade’s description of the project as “archaeological.” “With these types of projects, you really have to make two budgets,” he explains. “The first covers the peeling away of what you don’t want. And the second is—based on what you find underneath—for what you decide to keep, and what needs to be restored or replaced. So in that sense, it’s like archaeology.”

Due to an unmovable, transversal supporting wall separating the kitchen and living area, the original layout of the home had to be maintained. Instead of adjusting the plan, the firm focused on transforming the kitchen area and integrating period elements from the rest of the home. Like many of the turn-of-the-century casas in Barcelona, colorful hydraulic cement floor tiles were laid throughout—and luckily, except for the kitchen, they were in good shape.

High ceilings in the living areas gave a sense of airiness to the 645-square-foot apartment, and three balconies enclosed by shutters and French doors added a generous dose of romantic charm. “We were lucky because all these details were in good shape—they had just been pushed into the background through thoughtless renovations by the previous owners,” says Elizade.

Peeling away a false ceiling in the kitchen revealed a wave of Catalan vaults—a vernacular construction technique that, when exposed, immediately adds height and dynamism. “As the building was pre-1940, I was pretty sure they would be made of brick,” says Elizade.

The warmth of the brickwork plays with a bespoke bench and banquette in oak—the latter fitted with generous drawers for handy storage. “Made-to-measure carpentry works great in Spain,” explains Elizade. “There is such a long tradition of it. I prefer benches to tables in kitchens—they look neater and take up less space.” Next to this setup, the firm swapped double doors for a transparent slider for a smoother transition to the living area.

Forma Arquitectura added a new window in the kitchen and made all cabinets to order, including an element to accommodate the extractor fan and spotlights. The benches are finished with smooth porcelainico (a type of durable ceramic) surfaces. Microcement was chosen to cover the defective flooring and create a backsplash. “In the studio, we play a lot with this material,” notes Elizade. “It gives so much.”

Rather than restoring the original, substandard balcony doors and shutters, the clients agreed to splurge on having new ones made. Elizade explains the logic: “Colorful hydraulic cement tiles really only work with white walls. So adding natural wood, in this case pine, brings in warmth and a touch of quality. We spent a lot on wooden joinery in this project—and the cost of that is high. But in any type of project that aims to preserve or restore period elements, labor is going to be your biggest expense. There is just so much artistry involved.”

Related Reading:

A Dreamy Home in Catalonia Celebrates the Mediterranean Way of Life

In Barcelona, Vaulted Ceilings Are Always a Win

Barrel-Vaulted Ceilings Take This Barcelona Apartment to New Heights

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Forma Arquitectura / @formaarquitectura_

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Forma Arquitectura and Fustéria Guitart