The aim of this project was to resolve the implementation of a block of dwellings on a plot of building land, measuring 9 metres wide and 14.40 metres in depth, resulting from the demolition of a building between party walls, in the district of Gracia (Barcelona).
It was finally decided to distribute the layout into five flats, one on the ground floor (90m2), with access to the interior patio, and two on both first and second floors, one with a single bedroom (40m2) and the other with two bedrooms (55m2).
A free façade was introduced, without the limitations imposed by the interior spaces, and without following the traditional model for dwellings in this Barcelona district in which balconies and windows tend to reveal the interior of the dwelling via its façade. A ventilated façade was designed, based on blocks of black porcelain stoneware with openings of different sizes and positions, ensuring that the identical layout of the first and second floors would not be reflected in the façade itself. The window openings were also emphasised by means of a 15 cm thick Alucobond® casing, giving an impression of movement to the façade.
The communal spaces are distinguished by their spaciousness and clarity. The stairway, which plays an important dynamic role, is suspended in the triple space, playing with the lights suspended from the top floor central skylight and the coloured panels, combining different shades of oranges, concealing the hatches and access doors to the dwellings.
