Apartment Renovation in Sants by midori arquitectura: A Contemporary Transformation in Historic Barcelona

In the heart of Barcelona’s Sants district, midori arquitectura has carried out a thoughtful and transformative apartment renovation that bridges historical preservation with modern functionality. Located in a century-old residential building, the 64-square-meter flat had suffered years of neglect and poor maintenance. The design team was faced with structural deterioration, outdated utilities, and a problematic spatial layout—challenges that were transformed into opportunities to highlight original architectural features while introducing a contemporary interior layout tailored to present-day living.

A Rethink of Dysfunctional Layouts

The original apartment suffered from a long, dark corridor that led to underused spaces, two interior rooms without natural light or ventilation, and a disconnected series of living areas. One room was even accessible only through another. Recognizing the importance of spatial clarity and daylight in urban apartment design, the architects chose to reimagine the layout by reorganizing the circulation path and opening up the central zone.

Architectural Constraints as Design Drivers

Two structural realities shaped the core of the renovation: the elongated geometry of the flat and the immovability of the existing drainage pipes. These constraints guided a strategic redistribution of spaces—bedrooms were maintained at the front facade, the living room shifted to the rear, and a gallery was cleared to merge the kitchen with the communal living space. The bathroom, previously cramped and poorly located, was slightly enlarged and positioned alongside the kitchen, optimizing plumbing routes while freeing the remaining layout.

Celebrating Historical Structure: Vaulted Ceilings and Wooden Beams

Upon demolishing the interior partitions, a treasure was revealed—traditional Catalan vaulted ceilings supported by wooden beams, still in remarkable condition. These heritage elements became central to the new design. To stabilize the floor plate and address modern safety standards, the architects installed a new structural beam across the entire width of the apartment. This beam not only supports the structure but becomes a visual and spatial spine around which the apartment is organized.

A Structural Spine with Design Intent

The newly introduced beam is clad in fire-protected drywall, giving it a clean, bold presence as it runs from facade to facade. To enhance its visibility and meaning within the interior, its underside is finished with green waterproof MDF, symbolizing the conceptual “backbone” of the home. Along this axis, all electrical and lighting systems are routed, liberating the ceiling from visual clutter and reinforcing the centrality of this structural element in the apartment’s new identity.

Reviving Barcelona’s Hydraulic Heritage

During the renovation, part of the traditional Barcelona hydraulic tile flooring was uncovered—an iconic design feature of the city’s older homes. Though much of the floor required replacement due to structural deformities, the salvageable tiles were reused in a multifunctional space at the heart of the apartment. Set like a textile rug embedded in concrete, this feature area can flexibly serve as a dining room, workspace, or guest area. Above it, natural light filters in through interior clerestory windows, enhancing spatial continuity and connection.

Adaptive Design for Contemporary Living

To ensure versatility, this central space is equipped with mobile partition panels, allowing residents to create privacy or open up space as needed. The renovation balances respect for historical elements—such as ceramic vaults, hydraulic tiles, and wooden beams—with the integration of modern comforts and layout flexibility. It's a model of sustainable adaptive reuse and small-space urban living.

All Photographs are works of Judith Casas