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Project posted by Bernat Riera

Ramon Trias Fargas by SIGLA Studio

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Location
Barcelona, Catalunya, Espanya
Year
2024
Structure
Apartment
Style
Modern
The Open Kitchen (I) One of the most significant changes was the relocation of the kitchen. Initially situated in a dark and impractical area, it was moved to the exterior to open up to the inner island courtyard with an eastern orientation and to the street with a western orientation. This allowed for cross ventilation and natural light throughout the day.
The Open Kitchen (I) One of the most significant changes was the relocation of the kitchen. Initially situated in a dark and impractical area, it was moved to the exterior to open up to the inner island courtyard with an eastern orientation and to the street with a western orientation. This allowed for cross ventilation and natural light throughout the day.
The Open Kitchen (II)
The Open Kitchen (II)
The Open Kitchen (III)
The Open Kitchen (III)
The Open Kitchen (IV)
The Open Kitchen (IV)
The Open Kitchen (V)
The Open Kitchen (V)
Connecting or Isolating According to Needs At the request of Mari Carmen and her daughter, Sigla Studio included a study room with a special feature: a large, lightweight steel window that allows for visual connection with the rest of the space to maintain visual openness while also providing acoustic isolation when needed.
Connecting or Isolating According to Needs At the request of Mari Carmen and her daughter, Sigla Studio included a study room with a special feature: a large, lightweight steel window that allows for visual connection with the rest of the space to maintain visual openness while also providing acoustic isolation when needed.
Study Room (II)
Study Room (II)
Study Room (III)
Study Room (III)
Domesticity and Comfort The choice to use original materials and reintegrate them, rather than replace them, enhances the sense of domesticity and comfort, achieving a perfect fusion of form and function. Additionally, the rugs provide thermal and acoustic insulation, protect the floor, and interestingly, create a perception of spaciousness.
Domesticity and Comfort The choice to use original materials and reintegrate them, rather than replace them, enhances the sense of domesticity and comfort, achieving a perfect fusion of form and function. Additionally, the rugs provide thermal and acoustic insulation, protect the floor, and interestingly, create a perception of spaciousness.
Dining room
Dining room
A Subtle (Yet Smart) Color Palette The inspiration for this project focused on the idea of (re)construction, opening the interior to the exterior and transitioning from dark to light. To achieve this, ivory, beige, and cream tones were used in the darker interior bay, while off-white tones were applied in the brighter exterior bay.
A Subtle (Yet Smart) Color Palette The inspiration for this project focused on the idea of (re)construction, opening the interior to the exterior and transitioning from dark to light. To achieve this, ivory, beige, and cream tones were used in the darker interior bay, while off-white tones were applied in the brighter exterior bay.
Dining table in Carrara marble (I)
Dining table in Carrara marble (I)
Dining table in Carrara marble (II)
Dining table in Carrara marble (II)
The Importance of Light This palette and the differentiation of textures not only establish a visual harmony but also highlight the transition and connection between the two bays, and thus between the two areas of the apartment, emphasizing the dialogue from darkness to brightness—from the interior (inner courtyard) to the exterior (the street, Ciutadella, the sea).
The Importance of Light This palette and the differentiation of textures not only establish a visual harmony but also highlight the transition and connection between the two bays, and thus between the two areas of the apartment, emphasizing the dialogue from darkness to brightness—from the interior (inner courtyard) to the exterior (the street, Ciutadella, the sea).
"Domesticity and the concept of home are fundamental to us. We understand domesticity as an exploration of the emotions and relationships that define the home. When we design, it's not just about representing a physical space but capturing the essence of what it means to live and feel in that space."
"Domesticity and the concept of home are fundamental to us. We understand domesticity as an exploration of the emotions and relationships that define the home. When we design, it's not just about representing a physical space but capturing the essence of what it means to live and feel in that space."
Space Redistribution The interior design begins with a hallway that restores the original textures of the structural brick in the central load-bearing wall. This hallway distributes the various rooms through existing and new openings. The load-bearing wall divides the service area, which includes the kitchen and bathroom, from the living area and bedrooms.
Space Redistribution The interior design begins with a hallway that restores the original textures of the structural brick in the central load-bearing wall. This hallway distributes the various rooms through existing and new openings. The load-bearing wall divides the service area, which includes the kitchen and bathroom, from the living area and bedrooms.
Chamfered corner apartment (I)
Chamfered corner apartment (I)
Chamfered corner apartment (II)
Chamfered corner apartment (II)
Maximizing a Corner Space The bedrooms and the living-dining-study area were situated in the exterior bay to make the most of the spaciousness and natural light provided by the chamfered corner location.
Maximizing a Corner Space The bedrooms and the living-dining-study area were situated in the exterior bay to make the most of the spaciousness and natural light provided by the chamfered corner location.

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Details

Square Feet
1000
Bedrooms
2
Full Baths
1
Partial Baths
1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
SIGLA Studio
Interior Design
SIGLA Studio
Builder
SIGLA Studio
Photographer
Publications
Architectural Digest

From Bernat Riera

Project Description: Revitalizing a Chamfered Corner Apartment in Barcelona

Location
Situated at C/ Ramon Trias Fargas 48 in Barcelona, this 100 m² apartment resides on one of the characteristic chamfered corners of Cerdà's Eixample, adjacent to Ciutadella Park and Pompeu Fabra University. Built in 1956, the building features a classic structure with load-bearing walls, concrete beams, and ceramic brick vaults typical of the era.

Residents
The apartment is home to Mari Carmen, her daughter, and their Persian cat.

Influence of Location
The unique location and structure of this apartment significantly influenced the design approach. The original layout was characterized by low ceilings and a segmented distribution that limited natural light. The project aimed to respect the building's historical features while modernizing the space for improved functionality and comfort.

Layout and Design
The entrance hallway was restored to reveal the original structural brick of the load-bearing wall dividing the apartment's two bays. This hallway serves as a distributor to the various rooms, accessed through existing and newly created openings reinforced with metal beams and concrete blocks.

In the redesigned layout, the load-bearing wall separates the service area (kitchen and bathroom) from the living areas (living room and bedrooms). The kitchen was relocated from a dark interior area to a bright exterior space, opening onto the inner island courtyard (east) and the street (west), allowing for cross ventilation and natural light throughout the day. The bedrooms and living-dining-study area were placed on the street-facing side to maximize natural light and space, typical of a chamfered corner apartment.

Design Philosophy
The design prioritized comfort, transforming the space into an intimate and cozy refuge. Key elements included efficient, warm lighting, and visual spaciousness achieved by interconnecting various areas. The chamfered corner location offered enhanced privacy and an extensive range of views, contributing to an atmosphere of inner serenity.

Restoration and Renovation
The project preserved the building's original character while introducing modern elements. Key aspects included:
- Reinforcing concrete beams with metal profiles to address pathologies from aluminous cement used at the time.
- Exposing the brick texture of the central load-bearing wall and complementing it with lime mortar finishes in the service bay and lime-washed plaster in the living areas.
- Maintaining original structural elements and integrating them with modern design.

Inspiration and Materials
The design inspiration centered on reconstruction, emphasizing the projection from interior to exterior, fanning out due to the unique chamfered location. The transition from dark to light spaces used ivory, beige, and cream tones in the interior bay, moving to brighter, off-white tones in the exterior bay. The rough textures of lime mortar and exposed brick in the interior area contrasted with smooth, lime-washed walls in the exterior area, creating a synergy between structure and functionality.

Materials were chosen for their historical presence in the building’s architecture, with a focus on reintegration rather than replacement. Natural east-west ventilation throughout the apartment enhanced the sense of domesticity and comfort.

Furniture and Collaborators

**Living-Dining Room:**
- RAMÓN chairs by SANTA COLE (Ramón Bigas, 1975)
- Restored Danish dining lamp from EL RECIBIDOR
- Rug by MARNI for THE RUG COMPANY
- Custom table with a lacquered steel frame and Carrara marble top

**Study:**
- TRIANGULAR STOOL by CURATED BY in Carrara marble
- TMM lamp by SANTA COLE (Miguel Milá, 1961)
- CH25 armchair by CARL HANSEN (Hans J. Wegner, 1949)
- Jute rug by DAC RUGS

**Kitchen:**
- ASTRID pendant lamps by ZANGRA
- Stools from ZARA HOME
- Kitchen front with tiles from CERÁMICA FERRÉS
- Kitchen countertop in Santa Cecilia yellow granite

**Master Bedroom:**
- ASA lamp by SANTA COLE (Miguel Milá, 1961)
- Painting by Teresa Picazo
- Hand-knotted Tibetan wool Nepalese rug, rails design by ATELIER BSB

**Bathrooms:**
- NUVOL WALL light by CONTAIN
- Tiles from CERÁMICA FERRÉS
- Custom brown EMPERADOR marble sinks

Additional elements:
- Reintegration and consolidation of original brick in the load-bearing wall by ART MATERIA
- Bathroom fixtures and accessories by ICÓNICO
- Mechanisms by JUNG

Photography by MARTA VIDAL