Can Biel Renovation by Sau Taller d'Arquitectura

Preserving History through Modern Intervention

The Can Biel Renovation, designed by Sau Taller d'Arquitectura, reimagines a late 19th-century stone building in All, Cerdanya, near the Pyrenees, transforming it into four contemporary housing units. The project focuses on preserving the original structure while introducing modern architectural interventions to enhance spatial functionality.

The existing building features stone walls, 4-meter spans, and low slabs that were incompatible with modern living standards. The renovation carefully expands the structure horizontally while respecting its original volumetrics, resulting in a two-story, 40-meter-long building.

Structural Reinforcement & Innovative Design

To consolidate the historic construction, new mixed wood-concrete slabs were introduced, complemented by interior metal ties connecting the longitudinal stone walls. An external supporting structure acts as a buttress for the 8-meter-high stone walls, ensuring stability while maintaining the building’s historic character.

The north retaining wall was intentionally left exposed, requiring careful surface drainage and strategic integration of structural and finish materials. This approach emphasizes the dialogue between original architecture and contemporary intervention.

Materials & Finishes

The renovation embraces “naked” construction materials, including dry finishes, natural wood, and exposed beams, reducing costs while highlighting the historical memory of Can Biel. Repairs focused on essential plastering and wall jambs, distinguishing between the existing historic elements and new additions.

Interior Strategy: Expanding Space & Maximizing Light

With narrow structural bays, the project employs two strategies to create a sense of openness:

1. Vertical expansion through double- and triple-height spaces.
2. Strategic openings to maximize daylight and panoramic views.

These interventions elongate visual perspectives, enhance natural light, and broaden the feeling of interior space both horizontally and vertically.

A Harmonious Blend of History & Modernity

The Can Biel Renovation stands as a testament to sensitive architectural restoration, blending historical preservation with modern living requirements. By emphasizing material authenticity, structural clarity, and spatial openness, Sau Taller d’Arquitectura successfully revitalizes a historic building for contemporary use.

All Photographs are works of Andrés Flajszer