A stunning coastal residence in Barcelona, designed by UK-based Ström Architects, showcases panoramic views of the Balearic Sea through a fully-glazed corner that pays homage to California's iconic modernist Case Study Houses. The project, aptly named Barcelona House, was commissioned by a client who requested a "quiet luxury approach" that would prioritize the spectacular surrounding landscape over architectural showmanship.
Studio founder Magnus Ström explained the design philosophy behind the project, emphasizing restraint and essentialism. "The idea was not to add unnecessary layers of detail or distraction, but instead to reduce the house to its most essential elements," Ström told Dezeen. "The experience of being there becomes about light, horizon, and the relationship between inside and outside. We designed everything so that the transition between the interior and exterior feels effortless, almost like one continuous space."
Due to strict footprint restrictions on the site, the architects created a two-story structure that is partially embedded into the sloping terrain. This constraint led to an innovative "upside-down" layout, with guest bedrooms positioned on the lower level. The main bedroom and primary living spaces occupy the expansive upper floor, where residents can enjoy unobstructed panoramic sea views and seamless access to a terrace featuring an infinity pool through large sliding doors.
"This upper level has the character of a single-story pavilion, floating at the top of the site, with long, open spaces that flow straight onto terraces," Ström explained. "Below, tucked into the slope, are the secondary bedrooms and the more practical parts of the house, such as the plant room and a generously sized garage for the client's vehicles. From above, you don't feel this lower level at all – the experience for visitors is one of arriving at a simple, elegant house with everything on a single plane."
The architectural design features a striking cast concrete roof that extends outward from the main bedroom and office area at the front of the home, supported by a single slender column. This structural solution maintains completely unobstructed views through the full-height glazing. Ström specifically references this glazed corner as a direct tribute to Pierre Koenig's legendary Case Study House 22, also known as the Stahl House, which similarly overlooked Los Angeles through an iconic glazed corner.
The exterior of Barcelona House's upper level is defined by large concrete slabs forming the floor and roof, complemented by vertically-laid timber planks. In contrast, the lower level has been clad in local stone to help "anchor it into the hillside," creating a harmonious relationship with the natural topography. The home nestles gracefully into the sloping landscape, appearing to emerge organically from the site.
Inside, the architects created minimalist, uncluttered spaces specifically designed to focus attention on the dramatic sea views. Some walls have been left as exposed concrete, while the ceiling is lined entirely in timber planks that match the custom carpentry work in the kitchen area. The upper facades are covered in timber, creating a warm contrast to the concrete elements.
"Every material was selected to work hard in the Mediterranean climate while also reinforcing the design principle of essentialism, stripping away anything superfluous so that the architecture feels inevitable and calm," Ström noted. The material palette reflects both practical considerations for the coastal environment and the philosophical approach of reducing design to its most fundamental elements.
Ström Architects, founded by Magnus Ström in 2010, has previously drawn inspiration from California's Case Study Houses for other projects, including a home in Cheltenham, UK, that achieved a "monastic" feel through pared-back finishes and forms. The practice's portfolio also includes Island Rest, a low-lying holiday home on the Isle of Wight clad in blackened larch, demonstrating their consistent approach to minimalist residential design that emphasizes the relationship between architecture and landscape.
