2102 Wall 28

The house, located in the old quarter of Arboç, had been in disrepair for decades and showed serious structural pathologies. Even so, it had some very interesting preexistences: a staircase, a doorway with a walled arch, wooden and poured stone walls, and some stone masonry masonry with a strong patrimonial character.

The task was to transform this building into a comfortable and efficient dwelling for a large family of six members, while recovering its original essence. The main challenge was to intervene in a very delicate structure and at the same time to accommodate a large program.

The proposal is based on rearranging the existing levels and introducing natural light and ventilation where they did not reach before. The daily use floor is completely open to the courtyard, through a large opening to the south façade that connects inside and outside. The staircase, conceived as a light well, is a central element that brings quality to the interior spaces.

The elements that define the identity of the house are recovered and enhanced: the entrance, the staircase and the stone walls. The material sincerity guides the whole intervention, with the use of natural and breathable materials, which guarantee a healthy and respectful environment with the original construction.

The distribution is resolved with a ground floor destined to garage and workshop, a diaphanous upper floor with living room, dining room and kitchen open to the courtyard, and the upper floors dedicated to the rooms. The land is kept as an exterior support space.

The result is a house that recovers the authenticity of its original elements and combines them with efficiency and health criteria, generating bright and comfortable spaces, designed to accommodate the daily life of a large family. Beyond the rehabilitation, the intervention vindicates the value of these constructions, unique in the way they are made and essential to keep alive the character of the old houses.