House Renovation in Gracia by Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes

A Contemporary Renewal of a Historic Apartment in the Heart of Barcelona

Located in the vibrant Gracia district of Barcelona, this house renovation by Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes transforms the top floor of a 1900s apartment building into a serene and functional home for a family of four. The project preserves traces of the building’s past while reimagining its interior layout through warm materials, natural light, and crafted spatial organization.

Restoring Heritage with a Contemporary Touch

The renovation begins with respect for what remains of the original structure. The wooden beams, the only surviving historic element after a previous refurbishment, were carefully stripped, restored, and left exposed to celebrate the apartment’s century-old character. Around this structural framework, the architects crafted a balanced composition that merges the charm of traditional Barcelona dwellings with the precision of modern design.

Continuous Materiality and Spatial Flow

A new continuous flooring unifies the 753-square-foot residence. Combining white tones with fired clay mosaic pieces, the surface subtly expands the perception of space while reflecting natural light across the entire home. This minimalist palette establishes visual harmony and enhances the sense of calm throughout the interior.

The three façades of the building were maintained with minimal intervention. However, the existing aluminum windows were replaced by bespoke wooden frames, reinstating the warmth and authenticity of the original 20th-century openings.

The Wooden Box: A Home Within a Home

Inside this preserved envelope, the architects introduced a new wooden box — a functional structure that defines the apartment’s core. On the outside, it integrates essential domestic functions such as the kitchen, shelving, and storage units. Inside, it encloses the bedrooms of the teenage daughters, creating a private world within the family’s compact urban home.

This clever use of layering not only organizes the plan but also provides a tactile contrast between the restored structure and new insertions. The box acts as both furniture and architecture — a warm, living element that connects the family’s shared and private routines.

Zoning Light and Privacy

The spatial arrangement reflects a clear gradient of privacy. One end of the floor accommodates the living and dining areas, open and social, while the opposite side houses the parents’ bedroom and bathroom, ensuring a tranquil retreat. Despite the apartment’s compact size, each space feels generous and connected thanks to thoughtful circulation design and natural light that flows from façade to façade.

Functionality, Craft, and Comfort

Storage plays a crucial role in the project. A central dressing room and storage unit anchors the layout, complemented by a small desk corner for occasional remote work. Every piece of furniture was custom-designed in consistent tones and materials to maintain a unified, peaceful aesthetic.

Natural materials — wood, marble, and mosaic tiles — dominate the palette, emphasizing both durability and sustainability. The home’s environmental performance is enhanced by cross ventilation, ceiling fans, and efficient thermal systems, including radiator heating in winter and Daikin air conditioning in summer.

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

The House Renovation in Gracia stands as a sensitive example of urban adaptive reuse, where architectural memory meets modern family living. Parramon + Tahull Arquitectes reinterpret the historic apartment not as a relic but as a living environment — one that adapts, breathes, and evolves within the rhythm of Barcelona’s dynamic urban fabric.

All photographs are works of Judith Casas Sayós