sandy brunner Architecture

The penthouse project converts a traditional tightly arranged apartment in a 60’s residential tower in a spacious, generous penthouse which explores a contemporary floor plan layout and plays with the spectacular views of the city of Barcelona, framing and mirroring them. In addition to the interior spaces, the living room extends to the sky with 2 spacious terraces.

To start, all the interior walls of the apartment, which is organized on 3 split levels, were removed. The facade slab to the public staircase connects the different levels of the flat. A generous skylight above the interior staircase floods the apartment with light and creates a visual connection to the terraces.

The dissolution of the conventional subdivision of the living space allows the creation of a generous, open living space and flexible use. The open space appears like a fluid urban space of streets and squares in a town. Many uses are possible in this public space. Hidden sliding doors allow to divide the space or create privacy in the bedrooms.

In the middle of this loft-like space appear floor-to-ceiling wooden core elements which contain bed niches and storage. They have a warm, noble appearance, made out of peruvian walnut and cedar wood. They float on a continuous big scale, light grey ceramic floor that unifies the fluent space through the whole apartment reaching into the bathrooms and the balconies.

An additional layer of wall cabinets along the east facade provides further storage space and program. (Additional program of the penthouse is integrated in the peripheric cabinets along the facade.) The peripheral program is interrupted only by dark blue painted window niches which serve also as benches to sit in and enjoy the framed views of the city. Side mirrors in the niches double the view and play with it.

Two big private terraces complement the penthouse in the outdoor space. The first level linked to a party kitchen with a bar counter is used as a dining space equipped with a pergola and a large bench along the facade to enjoy the panoramic views framed by olive trees. The wooden deck on the highest level of the penthouse floats in a succulent landscape, includes an integrated jacuzzi and serves as lounge and sundeck. This space opens up completely to the spectacular views of the city of Barcelona and the sea.