House of the Cabinetmaker by Twobo Arquitectura – A Timeless Renovation in Barcelona

In the heart of Barcelona, a century-old home has been reimagined by Twobo Arquitectura into a warm, light-filled residence that pays homage to its history and its last inhabitant—a skilled cabinetmaker. With 120 m² of space, this 2022 renovation blends heritage preservation with thoughtful spatial transformation, creating a layered, narrative-driven home.

A Century of Stories Encased in Walls

Built over 100 years ago, the house had only two owners in its lifetime. The most recent was a renowned cabinetmaker whose large handcrafted furniture filled the rooms so densely that movement was reduced to narrow passageways. Stepping into the home felt like entering a place where time had stood still—furniture, tools, and objects formed a quiet archive of memory and craft.

Challenges of Light and Space

The house’s traditional layout featured a long, narrow hallway stretching 25 meters from the entrance to the back. This created a deep, dark central zone, where light struggled to penetrate. Perspective drew the eye to a vanishing point far away, making the home feel distant and enclosed.

A New Design Language – Layers Instead of Distance

The architects sought to change this perception—not by erasing history, but by reframing it. They removed the hallway and replaced it with overlapping planes and layered thresholds, eliminating the vanishing point. This approach brought spaces visually closer together, encouraged natural light to spread, and enhanced the home’s sense of intimacy while maintaining its historical depth.

Furniture as Architecture

As a tribute to the cabinetmaker, three monumental wooden furniture pieces were designed as freestanding architectural elements. Each piece serves multiple functions—storage, display, or workspace—while barely touching the original structure. This minimal contact preserves the home’s historic features: hydraulic tile floors, ornate molded ceilings, and original wooden carpentry.

An Oriental Touch – Pause and Thresholds

These wooden interventions are not just functional—they introduce a subtle oriental influence, offering pauses, interstitial moments, and thresholds within the home. They create a rhythm between movement and stillness, light and shadow, history and modernity.

Preserving Essence, Enhancing Life

Rather than imposing a new identity, Twobo Arquitectura let the house’s memory guide the renovation. Every change respects the craftsmanship and spirit of its past while making it a space for contemporary living—brighter, more open, yet rich with texture and history.

Project Details

• Architects: Twobo Arquitectura
• Lead Architects: María Pancorbo Serna, Alberto Twose Pérez de Rada, Pablo Twose Valls
• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Area: 120 m²
• Year: 2022
• Photography: José Hevia
• Manufacturers: CRIBA tècnics, Rimvara SA