ROSSELLÓ

Refurbishment of two dwellings for conversion into a boutique hostel

Location Barcelona
Year 2014
Status Built
Floor area 499m2
Photos M2Arquitectura

The starting point of this project consisted of the rehabilitation and unification of two abandoned dwellings, located on the main and first floors of a “finca regia” (stately building), to transform them into a boutique Bed & Breakfast hostel.

The main challenge was to achieve a high-density residential layout under the premise of a minimal budget, ensuring that the intervention engaged in a dialogue with the past without distorting it.

To resolve the residential program without altering the building’s original appearance, the new layout of bedrooms and bathrooms is conceived through low-height, freestanding volumes finished in a medium brown tone. This architectural approach avoids interrupting the continuity of the ornamented plaster ceilings and original cornices, marking a clear chromatic and volumetric differentiation between the new and the pre-existing structures.

With a similar purpose, the integration of electrical installations in the bedrooms is solved by using half-height furred headboards painted in dark brown. This technical gesture avoids chasing into the original walls and functions as a contemporary plinth that organizes the space.

The soul of the project lies in highlighting the original materiality. Through a rigorous restoration process, hydraulic mosaic flooring, solid wood floorboards, interior and exterior joinery, as well as false ceilings and plaster mouldings, were successfully recovered.

The colour palette is structured around a range of browns of varying intensity, which contrasts with the neutrality of the white walls and is complemented by golden details in lamps, occasional furniture, and accessories. The result is a proposal that is austere in resources but noble in atmosphere, preserving the memory of the original residence while offering a contemporary experience.