Spanish architecture firm MIAS Architects has transformed a historic housing block in central Barcelona into modern social housing apartments, featuring a striking design palette of red render, patterned ceramic tiles, and geometric metal grilles. The project, called Lady Raval Social Housing, serves as what the architects describe as a "tribute to the memory and cultural roots of its inhabitants."
The building is located on medieval Hospital Street in Barcelona's Raval neighborhood, one of the city's oldest and most densely populated urban districts. The area is characterized by its diverse immigrant population, which MIAS Architects sought to celebrate through their thoughtful incorporation of materials and decorative patterns that reflect the community's multicultural heritage.
"Diversity is one of the neighborhood's greatest strengths, though the area's urban density and configuration have, at times, contributed to a sense of physical and social isolation from the rest of the city," the studio explained. The architects emphasized that their driving vision was "to give new life to a historic building while celebrating the diverse cultural backgrounds of its residents."
Rather than imposing an entirely new architectural identity, the intervention focused on recovering and elevating existing elements, both in terms of architectural form and community spirit. The renovation required a complete reconfiguration of the building's layout, which had become disconnected from the street and its internal courtyard due to piecemeal alterations accumulated over many years.
MIAS Architects addressed these issues by dividing the building into two distinct volumes: a smaller front block facing the street and an L-shaped block at the rear. This strategic separation allowed each apartment to be oriented toward a shared central courtyard, which became the focal point of the entire intervention.
"The central courtyard is the focal point of the intervention. It becomes the shared external space to which all apartments are oriented," the studio stated. "Symbolically, it serves as the soul of the building, a collective space that represents the community within."
To improve connectivity and natural light access, the architects introduced new openings that opened up the building's previously isolated stair areas. These openings are covered with geometric metal grilles that allow light and air to flow through while maintaining security. The renovation also included the addition of elevators to each block, significantly improving accessibility for residents.
The visual identity of the project is defined by custom ceramic tiles created by architect and ceramicist Carlos Jiménez Cenamor. These bespoke tiles, featuring a marbled pattern in pinks and reds, surround the new openings and apartment windows that face the courtyard. The external walls are finished in textured deep red render, creating a bold and cohesive exterior appearance.
The design extends this vibrant color palette into the communal areas, where the red render is complemented by pale yellow painted brickwork and orange entrance doors. In deliberate contrast, the individual apartments maintain predominantly white finishes and wooden floors, with some areas featuring exposed original wooden ceiling beams that preserve the building's historic character.
MIAS Architects, formerly known as MiAS Architects, was founded by Josep Miás in 2000 and has established itself as a significant voice in contemporary Spanish architecture. This project represents part of a broader movement in Barcelona toward innovative social housing solutions that respect both architectural heritage and community identity.
The Lady Raval Social Housing project joins other notable social housing initiatives in the Barcelona area, including a recent project in Cornellà by Peris + Toral Arquitectes that won the RIBA International Award. These projects demonstrate how thoughtful architectural intervention can address urban housing challenges while celebrating the cultural richness of diverse communities.
