Houzz Tours
Barcelona Houzz: How a Spanish Penthouse Opened Up to City Views
Only a narrow sliding door led to this apartment's gorgeous terrace with its stunning views of Barcelona... until now
While this Spanish penthouse offers amazing views of Barcelona, it also came with one major challenge for the renovation team: the interior and exterior were largely unconnected. Owner Daria Micu chose FFWD Arquitectes to renovate her home. “I’m tired of sitting on the couch and only seeing the inside. I want to enjoy city views, please,” she told them.
The apartment before works.
Connecting the interior with the terrace was the first thing on the list, as a narrow sliding glass door provided the only access outside. The interior and the terrace were two unrelated spaces, and the apartment was very dark.
Connecting the interior with the terrace was the first thing on the list, as a narrow sliding glass door provided the only access outside. The interior and the terrace were two unrelated spaces, and the apartment was very dark.
The apartment after works.
In order to connect the two living spaces and create bright and light-filled interiors, FFWD Arquitectes had to completely transform the apartment.
The owner also asked the architects for an extra room. “We designed a new layout and not only did we open spaces up, we also created new ones. The flat originally had two bedrooms and a bathroom, and now has three bedrooms and both a full and half-bath [a bathroom and powder room],” says project lead David Benito.
In order to connect the two living spaces and create bright and light-filled interiors, FFWD Arquitectes had to completely transform the apartment.
The owner also asked the architects for an extra room. “We designed a new layout and not only did we open spaces up, we also created new ones. The flat originally had two bedrooms and a bathroom, and now has three bedrooms and both a full and half-bath [a bathroom and powder room],” says project lead David Benito.
Large, open spaces improve the interior and provide a new focal point. “In fact, the owner specifically requested the fireplace. We installed a bioethanol fireplace [Chimeneas Magma], which doesn’t need any ventilation,” says Benito.
It is integrated into the access step to the terrace, which also doubles as a TV stand.
It is integrated into the access step to the terrace, which also doubles as a TV stand.
View of the interior from the terrace.
This renovation completely changed how the space was used. The wall is no longer a physical barrier separating the interior and exterior spaces. Now, there is a continuous and uninterrupted connection between inside and out.
Opening up the outside wall and adding more windows also enabled the architects to redistribute the interior space. The living room, kitchen and bedroom enjoy pride of place alongside the large windows.
Opening up the outside wall and adding more windows also enabled the architects to redistribute the interior space. The living room, kitchen and bedroom enjoy pride of place alongside the large windows.
The sunroom on the terrace links the indoor and outdoor spaces. The glass ceiling makes it possible to enjoy the sun all year round. It acts like a greenhouse in colder weather, while in warmer weather it is pleasant and well ventilated.
The ‘greenhouse’ also serves as the dining room. “It’s the only one in the flat. The owner didn’t want the dining room inside as she doesn’t use it often,” says Benito.
The ‘greenhouse’ also serves as the dining room. “It’s the only one in the flat. The owner didn’t want the dining room inside as she doesn’t use it often,” says Benito.
“For me, it was very important to have a closed space on the terrace to enjoy year-round, to brighten up the flat and make the living room feel more open and spacious,” says Micu.
The apartment before works.
The space now occupied by the kitchen used to be the dining room, and wasn’t well utilised.
The space now occupied by the kitchen used to be the dining room, and wasn’t well utilised.
The apartment after works.
Now, the kitchen is right alongside the terrace and opens into the living room.
Now, the kitchen is right alongside the terrace and opens into the living room.
The new kitchen offers great views and the windows bring in a lot of natural light, which was missing when the kitchen was originally located deeper inside the floor plan.
“I wanted a kitchen that opens into the living room, to have more space when inviting friends over,” says Micu. “In fact, the kitchen is now my favourite part of the flat, connected as it is to the terrace through large windows. This way, I can enjoy the views while cooking alone and when guests are over. I can still interact with them while I prepare our meal.”
The kitchen benchtop extends into the hallway, where it’s used as a shelf for keys and other objects.
“The owner already had a mirror in the hall and wanted to keep it there because she finds it practical. We chose a mirror with a more modern design to fit in with the new style of the flat,” says the architect.
“The owner already had a mirror in the hall and wanted to keep it there because she finds it practical. We chose a mirror with a more modern design to fit in with the new style of the flat,” says the architect.
The apartment before works.
This is the entrance before the renovation.
This is the entrance before the renovation.
The apartment after works.
This space is now drastically different and much brighter. The whole space is open, but details such as the new floor or the extension of the kitchen benchtop into the hallway completely change the perception of space.
This space is now drastically different and much brighter. The whole space is open, but details such as the new floor or the extension of the kitchen benchtop into the hallway completely change the perception of space.
The new floor plan.
The entrance hall, with its beautiful oak floorboards, leads away from the living room and into the private part of the house.
The bathroom, powder room, main bedroom and the guest room are distributed along this hall, as visible in the floor plan.
The decor combines bold and lively colours with neutral and timeless materials. “The owner likes cheerful colours and shades of green. So, we painted some areas in green with water-based paint and introduced bold colours in others, such as in the bedroom and the bathroom,” says Benito. The result? The successful creation of “a contemporary refuge from which to enjoy the city”.
For Micu’s part, she tells us that she especially likes “the effect that has been achieved with the texture on the walls”.
For Micu’s part, she tells us that she especially likes “the effect that has been achieved with the texture on the walls”.
The apartment before works.
As mentioned above, the kitchen was previously farther from the terrace.
As mentioned above, the kitchen was previously farther from the terrace.
The apartment after works.
This space is now occupied by the powder room.
This space is now occupied by the powder room.
Next to it is the main bathroom (see plan), with its microcement walls. For cohesion, the flooring is identical to that in the kitchen.
Your turn
Which elements of this redesign are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Did you miss our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this unique Seville Houzz: A Stunning Sustainable Renovation in Spain
Your turn
Which elements of this redesign are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Did you miss our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this unique Seville Houzz: A Stunning Sustainable Renovation in Spain
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: Daria Micu
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Size: 79 square metres with a 27-metre terrace
Design: FFWD Arquitectes
“The main goal of the renovation was to update the interior and use the space better,” says Micu.