House Miquel by Septiembre Arquitectura – A Contemporary Renovation Rooted in History

Located in Barcelona, Spain, House Miquel by Septiembre Arquitectura is a sensitive yet transformative rehabilitation project that bridges tradition and modernity. The residence, originally a single-family home between party walls, has been reimagined into a bright, functional, and sustainable dwelling while preserving its Catalan architectural identity.

The project, led by Sara Baldasano and Damian Figueras, draws inspiration from the home’s existing richness—hydraulic tile floors, brick and stone walls, Catalan volta ceilings, and vibrant tones of red, green, and terracotta. At the heart of the transformation lies the balance between heritage preservation and contemporary adaptation, ensuring that the spirit of the house remains intact while embracing new needs and uses.

Interior Transformation

The home’s layout has been carefully redesigned to accommodate three bedrooms, an open-plan living-dining-kitchen area, and a secluded study overlooking the backyard. The original staircase is retained but reimagined as a climatic core, functioning as a light well in winter and a ventilation chimney in summer through the use of adjustable slats.

The master suite embraces openness, with a fragmented bathroom whose walls stop short of the ceiling to encourage cross-ventilation and natural light circulation. A large sliding door opens onto a balcony, creating a fluid connection with the backyard.

Ground Floor & Living Spaces

On the ground floor, the living-dining room and kitchen serve as the social hub, designed with visual and physical continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces. White walls frame the open layout, while flooring materials extend seamlessly to the patio, dissolving boundaries between interior comfort and exterior greenery.

Façade & Exterior Identity

From the street, House Miquel retains its picturesque, pastel-toned façade, blending into the neighborhood’s urban fabric. However, the rear façade contrasts sharply, clad in a white corrugated sheet with expansive openings and wooden detailing that highlight the intervention’s contemporary character. This deliberate duality captures the dialogue between old and new.

Structural & Landscape Design

Inside, original ceilings with exposed wooden and metal beams showcase the layered construction history. An exterior metal staircase, designed for lightness, leads to the walkable rooftop of the studio, maximizing usable outdoor space.

The landscape strategy restores the site’s wild vegetation, integrating planters and a climbing structure that merges with the staircase railing, allowing greenery to reclaim its place within the home’s architecture.

House Miquel is more than a renovation—it is a reinterpretation of Catalan domestic architecture. By blending historic materials with contemporary design strategies, Septiembre Arquitectura creates a home that is functional, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its cultural context.