A small 538-square-foot apartment in Barcelona's trendy El Born district has undergone a stunning transformation that masterfully blends 18th-century architectural elements with modern Nordic design principles. Swiss architects Rafael Aliende and Carolina Castilla from CAAL Architectes, based in Lausanne, successfully maximized the potential of this compact space located in a historic classified building.
The El Born neighborhood, known for its narrow streets lined with designer boutiques and new restaurants, provides the perfect backdrop for this renovation project. The area boasts historic buildings, a former covered market turned cultural center, vibrant nightlife, the Picasso Museum, and the Gothic basilica of Santa María del Mar just steps away. Within one of these historic streets, inside an 18th-century building, this apartment embodies the entire atmosphere of El Born by seamlessly mixing old and contemporary elements.
The architects' primary objective was to create a pied-à-terre for a Swiss couple. Their approach began with identifying and highlighting the original structural elements that held the most potential. The only major structural change involved removing the mezzanine level, which allowed them to fully exploit the impressive 16-foot ceiling height. This decision opened up possibilities for a more spacious and functional layout.
The design concept centered on creating a clear arrangement with rectangular and vertical volumes that would be easy to distribute and well-lit. Carolina Castilla explains their vision: "We wanted this layout to be open and highly functional, occupying most of the space while continuously gaining storage solutions through integrated furniture and shelving." The challenge lay in making the best use of the ceiling height, and the solution was found within the building's own structure – all storage units were aligned with the height of the windows.
The material palette plays a crucial role in the apartment's success, with stone and wood providing warmth throughout the 538-square-foot space. The walls are covered with clay-based paint, subtly affirming the choice of natural materials and creating a calming interior decoration. This approach demonstrates how the old meets the new, a challenge successfully met thanks to the expertise and craftsmanship of the artisans who worked on the two main spaces: one containing the kitchen and living room, and the other housing the bedroom and adjacent bathroom.
To maintain a minimalist interior, the architects concealed all electrical installations, including heating and cooling systems. The kitchen is defined by a central island with a stone countertop, complemented by a circular wooden table. The space features a Maxima 2.2 island by Cesar, bar stools from Zara Home, and artwork by Alicia Gimeno. The Catalan vaulted ceiling dates back to the building's original 18th-century construction.
The living area showcases carefully selected Nordic-inspired furniture, including a CH25 armchair and CH008 coffee table by Hans J. Wegner, a Sideways sofa and RF1903F footrest by Rikke Frost, and an MO320 floor lamp by Mads Odgård, all from Carl Hansen & Søn. Vases from Zara Home and a Nanimarquina rug complete the space, while the original wall serves as a frame for artwork by Alicia Gimeno.
In the bedroom, cream tones harmonize beautifully with the stone walls and original wooden French doors. The space features a Portobello headboard and bedside table from Maisons du Monde, pillows and blankets from Teixidors, and an MO310 table lamp by Mads Odgård from Carl Hansen & Søn. Another piece by Alicia Gimeno adorns the wall, maintaining the artistic thread throughout the apartment.
The bathroom stands out as the only space featuring a dark color scheme. Its walls are covered in deep green stuc, paired with a white sintered stone basin in Abu Dhabi style by Neolith. The shower is lined with Emerald Tiles in dark green, creating a cohesive color story. Waterevolution provides the faucets and fixtures. The shower distinguishes itself with a showerhead fixed to the ceiling at 13 feet high. "You feel like you're in the rain when it works," notes Rafael Aliende, adding that the owner absolutely loves this feature.
Throughout the apartment, all furniture draws inspiration from Nordic design, dressed in monochrome fabrics in neutral tones that highlight the wood and original materials. The living space isn't cluttered with objects, allowing the space to breathe. Even the lighting fixtures – classics of Scandinavian style – remain discreet and understated.
Every room features microcement flooring, while natural materials like light wood for shelving and bedroom doors ensure harmony with the exposed stone walls. The apartment is filled with custom solutions that make it extremely pleasant to live in, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform a small historic space into a functional and beautiful home.
While not intended as their primary residence, the Swiss couple might find themselves tempted to spend more time than initially planned in their Barcelona retreat. This project proves that with expert design and respect for historic elements, even the smallest spaces can achieve remarkable transformations that honor both past and present.
