Loft3. Located in Poblenou in Barcelona. Use: housing

The interior design project focuses on an old factory from the industrial era of Barcelona, which was renovated years ago. The building is located in the upcoming district of Poblenou currently undergoing a full urban renewal due to of its proximity to the historic center and the Mediterranean Sea. The historic factory is build in exposed brick with iron structure and vaults, housing unique spaces for their dimensions and heights.

The commission consisted on the conversion of three staged spaces into lofts. First and second floors are devoted for housing and the ground floor for a mixed-use living and working space because of the direct link to the outside: the street courtyard of the old factory. The lofts are considered open and fluid spaces.

The height allows for the creation of mezzanines in the ground and second floor lofts. The space under the new mezzanines houses the kitchen, dining area and toilet. While the living room and office areas are located in the double height spaces. The master bedroom suite with bathroom and dressing room, and a work area are located on the second level, overturning the large loft space.

The staircase connecting the two levels of the loft is conceived as a singular and permeable element avoiding the creation of a visual barrier. In the ground floor loft, the wooden staircase-grandstand is opened to the workspace. In the case of the second floor loft, the design conception is visually lighter.
Natural light fills the loft through large windows. The large loft volume has been preserved to highlight the unique and fluid space while maintaining visual continuity. The space division is accomplished through sliding doors and curtains. White is the predominant color enhancing the natural light from the Mediterranean Sea.
Long curtains with complex textures filter the light adding theatrical value to the space. In order to maximize the amount of light and to open to the Barcelona blue sky, a large skylight that covers the relaxation area and the library was built. Also, a more intimate skylight was placed right above the tub.

The living room is spatially enriched by adding a new horizontal plane. A stage, where the piano is located, extends along the facade as a bench favoring outdoor views from the windows located in the upper position. The living space extends a large continuous area with different environments for leisure and relaxation.
This loft has direct access from the mezzanine to an outdoor terrace and from there to the rooftop via a spiral staircase. The proposal is to use this residual space, especially wasted in large cities, creating a green and recreational space. The rooftop is conceived as a garden with plenty of plants that bring life, color and scent from a unique urban vegetable garden.

The rooftop offers panoramic views of many of Barcelona landmarks: the Sagrada Familia temple, the Agbar tower, the Mediterranean Sea and the mountain of Collserola. The large pergola covered by a grapevine generates a space under which you can enjoy the view in the shade. An iron flowerpot with a variety of Mediterranean plants runs parallel to it.

The overall renovation is accomplished with a few materials such as stone, wood, and iron enhancing their texture properties and taking care of the construction details. The search for sobriety, fluidity, spaciousness and warmth results in loft interiors where white color predominates on the walls and ceilings and wood on the ground. The intervention is total and includes a selection of furniture and lighting that power the space qualities and offers comfort and habitability.