House Renovation in Cal Drapaire by Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes

Revitalizing a Barcelona Heritage Apartment with Contemporary Design

Located on the iconic Gran Via in Barcelona, the House Renovation in Cal Drapaire by Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes breathes new life into a historic early 20th-century building. Known in the neighborhood as “Cal Drapaire”, this monumental apartment block has been a landmark for over a century, and its transformation balances heritage preservation with modern living needs.

Historical Context: The Legacy of “Cal Drapaire”

The building was originally commissioned by Pau Fornt, a wealthy ragpicker, who envisioned a massive residential complex with six stairwells, ten floors, and 240 apartments for rent. Despite being constructed as low-income housing, the apartments offered generous proportions compared to similar residences in Barcelona’s Eixample district.

Designed by architect Modest Feu, celebrated for his modernist and noucentist architecture across the Sants district, the building quickly became a distinctive urban presence. Today, it is listed in Barcelona’s Heritage Catalogue, affirming its architectural and cultural importance.

The Apartment: Orientation and Potential

The renovated home is situated on a high floor, in one of the apartments facing the interior of the block. Unlike the noisy street-facing units, this orientation provides abundant sunlight and tranquility, making it an ideal canvas for transformation.

A closed southeast-facing gallery became the centerpiece of the renovation. Spacious and naturally bright, it offers a sheltered extension of the living space, optimized for daily life in the dense urban environment of Barcelona.

Design Strategy: Reorganization and Fluidity

The architects redefined the layout to maximize efficiency and connection between spaces:

• Kitchen and Bathroom Swap: The original kitchen and bathroom exchanged locations. The new open-plan kitchen enhances social interaction while integrating seamlessly with the living area.
• Living–Bedroom Partition: A custom-designed birch wood structure with sliding doors and an upper glass panel divides the living room and master bedroom. This flexible partition allows both spaces to communicate visually while maintaining privacy.

The intervention prioritizes spatial fluidity, natural light, and tailored functionality, ensuring a harmonious balance between tradition and modern comfort.

Materiality and Custom Furniture

To unify the interior, the design emphasizes birch plywood and white finishes. Several pieces of custom furniture—including wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, and storage units—were made to measure, providing both practicality and aesthetic coherence.

Flooring was a critical element in the renovation process:

• The damaged glued parquet was fully removed.
• Beneath it, a simple hydraulic floor was uncovered but deemed irreparable.
• The architects installed porcelain stoneware in wet areas and new parquet throughout the rest of the apartment, offering warmth and durability.

Balancing Heritage and Modern Living

While the aluminum carpentry with thermal glass from a previous renovation was retained, the overall project carefully integrates new interventions with historical context. The result is a space that respects the building’s heritage while providing a functional, luminous, and contemporary home.

All photographs are works of Judith Casas Sayós