handmade tile flooring turns into the protagonist of renovation by forma in barcelona
forma reawakens modernist apartment in barcelona
in the eixample district of barcelona, spain, forma atelier has renovated an apartment around the idea of reawakening the modernist space from a contemporary point of view. one of the most distinctive elements of the transformation is the new flooring which is made of traditional hydraulic tile, handcrafted one by one. each room showcases a unique design, preserving its original personal charm, but using the same colors as the other spaces to create a unified interior.
all images by jose hevia
preserving old elements and introducing contrasting effects
before the transformation by forma, the apartment had undergone several renovations that had seriously affected its original elements. the new interventions sought to preserve and repair these pre-existing parts, while highlighting the modernist charm of the interior in a contemporary way.
according to the architects, the most important decision of the renovation was to design a new flooring for the whole apartment using traditional handmade hydraulic tile. meanwhile, the baseboards and moldings were also redone following the same laws as in 1900. the interior and balcony doors were also preserved and restored: moldings, handles, and even the frosted upper glass. in the bathrooms, two completely opposite doors are introduced: metallic, with straight and light lines. the same proportion is used as the old carpentry to create a contrast and in this way to enhance both designs.
open spaces, ample natural light and minimalist lines
the original layout of the apartment has been also preserved, except for the rooms next to the main facades where the interior partitions have been demolished in order to generate large spaces that accumulate natural light for the inner rooms. the kitchen is positioned within one of these open spaces, designed with minimalist lines and materials and opting for a contemporary look but with the ever-present modernist reminiscence.
project info:
name: enric granados apartment
architects: forma | @weareforma
location: enric granados, barcelona
area: 110 sqm
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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom