The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community
August 6, 2020
Text: Elissaveta M. Brandon
The Room Studio Renovates a Barcelona Apartment in the Heart of the City
Dressed in warm, neutral tones, the living room features Novamobili sofas, coffee tables from Ethnicraft and a suspended lamp from De Padova. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.
At almost seven miles, Barcelona’s Diagonal Avenue is one of the city’s most important arteries—and a great repository of architectural history. So when local architecture practice The Room Studio set upon renovating this apartment, located in the most central area of Diagonal Avenue, preserving the soul of the space was a top priority.
“The main requirement of the owners was to maintain the structure of the house while adapting it to their current needs,” explain Meritxell Ribé and Josep Puigdomènech, founders of The Room Studio. “To this end, all the spaces were redistributed and restored, returning to the home to its original essence.” The resulting design features natural woods, varying types of marble, brass, and stone, as well as comfortable textiles. As the duo explains: “We sought to give the house the nobility and sobriety for which it is characterized, combining it with timelessness in different environments and creating lighting scenes in each corner.”
A circular rug from Alfombras helps define a relaxed reading area punctuated by two Gubi armchairs and a Gervasoni coffee table. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.Lighting is everything inside this glamorous hallway, where a handmade glass chandelier by CTO Lighting is complemented by a duo of traditional lampshades by The Room Studio. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.The Sasha Pendent, by CTO Lighting, is made from unique glass pieces that are hand-formed through a process that creates undulations and crystal-like textures. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.French-style sliding doors separate the dining area from the kitchen, where Kuskoa stools and a timber-clad kitchen island help soften the marble tones. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.The bathroom boasts a striking microcement counter that contrasts with a timber vanity and a wooden stool from En Línea Barcelona. Photography courtesy of Mauricio Fuertes.
