raúl sánchez installs brass kitchen to brick residential interior in barcelona

Raúl Sánchez renovates 19th-century residence in Barcelona

After 8 years of meticulous work, Raúl Sánchez Architects has completed the renovation of a neglected 19th-century residence in Barcelona, Spain. Owned by lead architect Raúl Sánchez, the home is transformed to respond to his needs and preferences that have changed through the passing of time. Thus, the impractical four-story residence was converted into a place where Sánchez can work remotely, as well as relax and enjoy his short stays and visits to the city.

all images by José Hevia

leaving the original brick walls bare

Before the intervention by Raúl Sánchez Architects, the property was in ruins; there were damaged floor slabs, weak stairs, and some parts were completely ruined. In addition, there was an imperative need to adapt the structure to current building regulations. This made it impossible to reuse the interior in its original state and led the design team to the decision to completely demolish the building, maintaining only the facades and dividing walls, as well as the roof slab.

The construction process was slow and complex. Once all the floor slabs had been demolished, the building was left as a slender and tall prism formed by walls with heterogeneous compositions of all kinds of bricks and stones. Once the architect saw this, the idea of leaving the walls completely exposed came to mind. The four 15-meter-tall walls were left unaltered and exposed, revealing traces of their original construction and use.

seven exposed stainless steel cylinders

The three new floors are supported by beams that are installed between the dividing walls, which do not touch either of the two sides of the structure. Towards the main façade, a sheet of glass separates them from it; and towards the interior one, the stairwell serves as a four-story void that unites the entire interior and highlights the surprising height of the building.

With the exception of the kitchen furniture and bathroom equipment, nothing else occupies the floors, so the occupants can change their uses according to their needs. Meanwhile, seven exposed steel cylinders run the entire height of the building, with six of them housing all the electrical, ventilation, plumbing, extraction, sanitation, air conditioning and telecommunications installations. The seventh one is left empty for future needs. The rest of the installations are always visible, never built-in, highlighting the roughness of the masonry walls to which they are attached.

contrasting materiality

In terms of materiality, Raúl Sánchez decided to form sleek and refined new elements, in opposition to the raw existing structure, Thus, the kitchen is shaped as a frosted brass piece of furniture, shiny and reflective, with a white marble top. The bathroom equipment is paneled with lacquered wood in a cream color, with black and brass details. The ‘headboards’ of the floors are covered in white microcement, while the hydraulic mosaic, microcement and oak floors add warmth and color to the interior.