Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura
29/02/2024.
[BCN] Spain
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
Barcelona-based architecture studio Metronom arquitectura has been tasked with the renovation and transformation of a floor in the historic Mas de Miquel building into a new office space. The Noucentista-style corner building is located on the diagonal of the city of Barcelona, a few minutes walk from Gaudí's famous Casa Milà.
The historic building built in 1929 by Domènec Sugrañes, a disciple of Antoni Gaudí, is recognized for being the first structure in the city with a reinforced concrete framework and for having pioneering services and facilities for the time such as central heating, a centralized vacuum system and the functional segregation of elevators and stairs.
The historic building built in 1929 by Domènec Sugrañes, a disciple of Antoni Gaudí, is recognized for being the first structure in the city with a reinforced concrete framework and for having pioneering services and facilities for the time such as central heating, a centralized vacuum system and the functional segregation of elevators and stairs.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Floor plan. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Previous state floor plan. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Door detail plan. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical plans. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical plans. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical plans. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical plans. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Historical plans. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
Metronom arquitectura has designed a new office space in the Mas de Miquel building, in which flexible spaces predominate so that the program could be used for purposes other than offices, such as exhibition rooms, small clinics or even as a residence again. To do this, the architects took into account the origin of the building and decided to highlight the noble character of the main rooms, which are connected through glass doors.
The new use produced a change in the distribution that is achieved thanks to two walls of curved geometry inspired by the oval atrium of the building, where doors with mirrors are located at the end of each one to expand the perception of space. Furthermore, with the new layout, the floor plan can be divided into two parts, one connected to the façade and the other connected to the atrium.
The project gains interest thanks to the meticulous restoration work that was carried out on the original elements. A new natural stone was used as the flooring for the entire floor, reproducing what reminds us of the original flooring while generating a contrast of tones with the restored elements.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
The new use produced a change in the distribution that is achieved thanks to two walls of curved geometry inspired by the oval atrium of the building, where doors with mirrors are located at the end of each one to expand the perception of space. Furthermore, with the new layout, the floor plan can be divided into two parts, one connected to the façade and the other connected to the atrium.
The project gains interest thanks to the meticulous restoration work that was carried out on the original elements. A new natural stone was used as the flooring for the entire floor, reproducing what reminds us of the original flooring while generating a contrast of tones with the restored elements.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
Project description by Metronom arquitectura
Renovation and transformation into office space, of a floor in the historic Mas de Miquel building
The Mas de Miquel building, a historic style building on Diagonal street. It has the first structure in the city with a reinforced concrete framework, and with pioneering features such as central heating, a centralized vacuum system and the functional segregation of elevators and stairs. Built in 1929, the building was designed by Domènec Sugrañes, a disciple of Antoni Gaudí. A 9-level high, fully decorated atrium provides entrance to all apartments. Some say that the architect was inspired by the Casa Milà designed by his mentor, Gaudí, while others claim that it was Mr. Miquel who fell in love with a similar atrium in a spa.
The previous layout of the apartment featured pronounced segregation between common areas and domestic service areas, including a loft that halved the height of the service areas. Even though most of the noble rooms were connected and linked to the façade, they lacked independent access from the hallway. The assignment was to transform the apartment from residential to office space. Sufficient flexibility was also requested so that the space could be used for purposes other than offices, such as showrooms, small clinics or even as a residence again. The transformation aimed to highlight the noble character of the main rooms, which are connected through glass doors, the Noucentista style.
Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura. Photograph by Jose Hevia.
All the craftsmanship of the original elements has been meticulously restored, including the moldings and wood doors. These were carefully dismantled and reinstalled in their original positions. A new local natural stone is used as the flooring for the entire floor, reproducing the layout of the original hydraulic flooring, which was damaged and partially lost during successive partial renovations.
On the other hand, a new access and distribution system has been introduced to organize more fluid functionality and create new cross-perspectives. This is achieved through two walls of curved geometry inspired by the building's oval atrium. At the end of each curve, tall mirrored doors are introduced to expand the aseptic perception of this area. This contrasts with the Noucentista rooms on the façade and serves as a transition from the atrium to these rooms. Now, all rooms have independent access from this distributor space, improving the flexibility and adaptability of the apartment.
Historical Photographs. Office space in the Mas de Miquel building by Metronom arquitectura.
More information
Architects
Project team
Albert Casas, Maria Amat, Frederic Villagrasa, Gina Surià, Núria Cánovas.
Collaborators
Engineering.- Andreu Villagrasa.
Structure.- Office architecture.
Structure.- Office architecture.
Area
210 sqm.
Location
Barcelona, Spain.
Photography
María Amat, Albert Casas, Frederic Villagrasa. Metronom
Metronom is a Barcelona-based architecture studio founded by María Amat, Albert Casas and Frederic Villagrasa in 2018. The studio develops spatial projects with a clear objective: to provide long-lasting and timeless projects with a contemporary and innovative feel. Each project is approached uniquely, taking into account the physical context where it is located, as well as the environmental, social and economic conditions of each situation.
Metronom has developed residential, commercial, rehabilitation and public space projects. In the studio, they gather around a large square table with a lazy susan in the center. This tool helps the team share, collect and classify ideas to develop the projects they are working on.
Metronom has developed residential, commercial, rehabilitation and public space projects. In the studio, they gather around a large square table with a lazy susan in the center. This tool helps the team share, collect and classify ideas to develop the projects they are working on.
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