Transforming an old, worn building into an efficient, elegant modern home creates enormous value—both practical and aesthetic. That is precisely the outcome of the Refurbishment in Sarrià by Sergi Pons architects. This striking Barcelona apartment occupies the ground floor of an older building that once housed a confectionery shop. The renovation preserves elements of the original structure while introducing clean, contemporary lines, natural materials and carefully considered lighting to create a bright, warm living space.
The defining feature of the renovation is a recovered Catalan vaulted ceiling, clad in classic ceramic tiles. The 1930s building had been covered by later ceiling layers, hiding the original vault. By carefully removing these additions and restoring the tiled vault, the architects revealed a distinctive, historical surface that now acts as the project’s focal point. The reclaimed ceiling offers color, texture and architectural character without the cost or environmental impact of building a new feature.
Throughout the home, a restrained palette of wood and white keeps the spaces feeling open and cohesive. Natural light reaches into every room, aided by an open-plan layout that connects living, dining and kitchen areas. The kitchen features a smart island lit by a pair of pendant lights, while modular storage and clean-lined cabinets provide practical, unobtrusive solutions that enhance the contemporary aesthetic.
Materials and finishes were chosen to balance the historic and the contemporary. Classic ceramic tiles on the vault and patterned floor tiles introduce visual interest and reference local craft traditions. Smooth white surfaces and warm timber elements provide a calm backdrop that highlights these details. In the bathroom, natural light and patterned flooring enliven a simple, bright scheme, while built-in shelving and modular units in living spaces keep clutter out of sight.
Outside, a small courtyard and wooden steps connect the interior to a private garden that shelters an old acacia tree. This outdoor area extends the living space and reinforces the feeling of a home rooted in place. Exposed brick accents in a corridor and carefully placed lighting provide a sense of sequence as you move through the apartment, while geometric tile patterns give floors and thresholds a subtle rhythm.
The Refurbishment in Sarrià demonstrates how thoughtful restoration and modest, targeted interventions can revitalise an older urban space. Retaining and celebrating the vaulted ceramic ceiling preserved a connection to the building’s past, while a modern palette, efficient layout and attention to natural light created a comfortable, contemporary home in Barcelona’s Sarrià neighborhood. Photography by Adrià Goula documents the change, showing how material choices, lighting and spatial flow combine to make the most of a former commercial ground-floor space now transformed for residential life.
