Two apartments in Arenys de Munt

Location: Arenys de Munt (Barcelona)
Year: 2022
Client: Private
Surface: 200 m2
Status: Built

In the heart of the historic fabric, an old single-family house is transformed into two independent dwellings. The challenge: to ensure autonomy for each unit. Also, to resolve a shared access route from the main street to the upper dwelling.

The staircase becomes a key element. Now, the first flight is communal, while the second provides exclusive access to the upper duplex. The service installations are arranged vertically to optimize both functionality and intervention.

The first floor of the old house contained the daytime program (kitchen, living-dining room, a study, and a small bathroom). We took advantage of the existing installations to create a full bathroom. The study was transformed into the communal hallway to allow access to the upper apartment. The dining area was reduced to create a bedroom, while the kitchen was maintained.

The second floor contained the nighttime program (bedrooms and a bathroom). A living room, kitchen, and at least one large bedroom were needed to turn it into an autonomous apartment. We introduced new installations for the kitchen and reused the existing ones for the bathroom. The removal of the central room allowed us to create a large, multipurpose central space that serves as both living room and hallway. One of the bedrooms became the kitchen, which opens to the rear. The bedrooms face the Riera, with eastern light.

Finally, we achieved one apartment on the first floor, measuring 65 m², and another on the second floor, — a triplex with its own staircase and rooftop terrace,  measuring 112 m².

We used materials in neutral tones to bring warmth and a domestic atmosphere to the space. We restored the existing skylights to introduce natural light into the central area.

  • Team: Més arquitectura
  • Advisors: Montse Farrés Català, Cristina Acosta Martínez, Chiara Prandini

An open staircase that defines the main space. Photo: Judith Casas Paintings: La Gare d’Art

An intervention in the old city

In the heart of the historic fabric, an old single-family house is transformed into two independent homes.

The challenge: to guarantee autonomy to each unit. Also, to solve a community access from the main street to the upper house.

Open lightful spaces

The central space of the triplex apartment gives access to all the rooms. The demolition of the existing partitions allows us to create a living-dining space that receives light from the west in the afternoon. We recovered the skylights that give a dim light in the morning. Photo: Judith Casas

From a single-family house to two apartments

The first floor of the old house contained the day program (kitchen, living-dining room, a study and a small bathroom). We took advantage of the existing facilities to make a full bathroom. The study became the community distributor to allow access to the upper apartment. The dining room was reduced to create a bedroom and the kitchen was maintained.

The second floor contained the night program (the bedrooms and a bathroom). A living room, a kitchen and at least one large bedroom were needed to become an independent apartment. We introduced new facilities for the kitchen and reused the existing ones for the bathroom. The elimination of the central room allowed us to create a large multipurpose space in the center that serves as a living room and distributor. One of the bedrooms became the kitchen, which opens to the back. The bedrooms are oriented to the Riera, with east light.

An open central space

A multifunctional central space, with an open kitchen and natural light. Photo: Judith Casas

Solving the section

The staircase becomes a key point

The first flight is communal, while the second provides exclusive access to the upper duplex.

Warm interior spaces

The bedrooms face the Riera, the main street, from where there is east light. Photo: Judith Casas

A new elevation

Photo: Judith Casas

A bathroom with earth tones

A new layout and material palette for the bathroom of the upper apartment. With earthy tones, the result is a pleasant and intimate space. Photo: Judith Casas