m-i-r-a blurs interior & exterior with vast windows in barcelona loft apartment

architecture studio m-i-r-a has designed a top-floor apartment in the heart of the poblenou neighborhood in barcelona, spain. the project aims to reflect the unique character of the area; a former factory district that was rejuvenated with modern bars and start-ups, but still maintains its industrial, grungy feel.

all images courtesy of del rio bani

m-i-r-a architects created a space that feels as connected to the city as it does to the sky and the natural world. whilst the use of materials such as concrete, iron, and brick give a nod to the area’s industrial past, the design combines man-made elements with surrounding nature to give the sensation of a tranquil oasis above the bustling city.

visitors are met by calm, neutral tones, with clean-finished, concrete floors running seamlessly through the interior, meeting large wooden framed windows, and harmoniously bridging the transition towards the outdoors. natural sunlight permeates the interior through expansive openings that blur the line between interior and exterior. in addition, the design invites the sky into this top-floor loft, by introducing skylights in meaningful places: where there is water, there is sky. as a result, an atmosphere of reflections is generated, that reminds of naturally lit waterfalls, lakes, and streams. 

the design by m-i-r-a creates a clear flow, with no jarring shifts in the energy between rooms. the apartment is formed as one conscientiously calm space which gently changes from outside, to bedroom, flowing to kitchen, melting into living room, and transforming back into the exterior. a wooden terrace area, which runs around the property, can be accessed by the vast window-doors at either end of the apartment, giving the impression of a balanced circle. wooden planters line the terrace and conceal the surrounding rooftops, creating a secluded retreat from the densely populated urban life.

textured natural materials such as cotton, wicker, and wood, complement the smooth finish of the floor and walls, whilst the abstract shapes of the plants on the terrace make them a feature throughout the property. visible from most areas, the green vegetation pulls the spectator into nature.

original features of the building have been preserved and updated, in order to incorporate aspects of catalan architecture into the project, resulting in a build that feels like an organic part of barcelona and its heritage. the traditional, undulating, vaulted ceiling creates an engaging statement, whilst the original brickwork has been left partially exposed; this adds texture, whilst reaffirming the connection between the apartment and its historically industrial setting.

project info:

name: casa pmp
architecture office: m-i-r-a architecture
location: poblenou, barcelona, spain

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom