ML PENTHOUSE
60’s Bungalow Feel Up Above In The Air
120m2 apartment, 40m2 terrace SANTA CATERINA BARCELONA, SPAIN
60’s Bungalow Feel Up Above In The Air
This penthouse could be described with one word that every property owner (and real estate agent) loves: Location! Situated across of the Mercat de Santa Caterina, the terrace of this apartment is spoiling the eye with fantastic views over the Ribera’s market to the left, and the Cathedral, together with the square to the right. On the downside: the building dates from th 60s and on a first look is anything but beautiful. However, upon the second look the house has several precious details that served as starting point for our design proposal.
The owners brief was quite simple. They wanted to use the apartment as a holiday residence with three bedrooms, one of them being a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Furthermore an open living space, that includes the kitchen. Since the structure of the building allowed changes in its distribution easily, we reconfigured the entire apartment to fit the functional program into the given footage.
We took inspiration from the International Style, especially the architecture of the bungalows that were fashionable in the 60s.
Our first intervention was to level the living room with the outside terrace. Another important decision was to connect the kitchen with the dining area, and to get rid of the entrance hall to gain maximum space. We also inserted a functional wall, that includes shelving for the living area, the backdrop of the kitchen, and access to a little pantry. This wall is made of American walnut and continues across the length of the hallway. The isle and countertops of the kitchen are made of milestone.
We worked with lots of built-in furniture to create enough storage space without filling the spaces with furniture. This helps create a clean-lined and calm ambience that one so appreciates of the international style. Overall, the continuation of the building’s modern architectural heritage, the openness and clarity of its spaces, and the careful detailing created a delicate project, which at the same time works as the perfect home away from home for the owners.
The floors are either executed In small oak tiles, or large formatted grey ceramic tiles.
