Architects Adrià Escolano and David Steegmann have breathed new life into a mid-20th century single-family house in Barcelona‘s La Floresta neighborhood. The house, consisting of four floors, including a basement, and built with load-bearing walls, has been transformed to accommodate two families. The architects have reorganized the house by juxtaposing rooms of different sizes, some of which exude elegance, spaciousness, and symmetry, with large openings that flood the space with natural light.
The Two Families House, captured beautifully by photographer José Hevia, now boasts a new hierarchy, with a sequence of interconnected large rooms. The building is surrounded by a garden with various terraces that help overcome the steep slope of the land. The main access is located at the highest level, while a second access is available at the lower level.
To adapt the space for its new use, the architects have made specific technical and programmatic interventions, subtly blending them with the existing geometries and calligraphy of the house. This creates a sense of continuity and defines the shape of the void. Additionally, all planes within the house have been painted in the same color, emphasizing the value of the space itself. This cleverly mixes the old and the new, creating an intriguing sense of ambiguity.
The two homes within the house are organized differently. One is located on the ground floor, seamlessly connecting its public spaces to the garden. The second home spans the two upper floors and is accessed via an external staircase. The semi-basement floor, which is separate from the rest of the house, opens up to the garden and houses technical rooms and communal spaces.
The project also incorporates energy improvement measures, such as the installation of thermal and inertia floors, as well as the injection of insulating material into the walls and ceilings. These actions help maintain the original dimensions and character of the space while enhancing its energy efficiency.
Overall, the transformation of this mid-20th century house into a Two Families House is a testament to the architects’ skill in reimagining and revitalizing existing structures, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.