Apartment M11 by FFWD

Apartment M11 is a modern brick home located in Barcelona, Spain, designed in 2016 by FFWD.

Cozy open-plan apartment with exposed brick walls, wood beams, and contemporary furnishings.
Cozy loft with exposed brick walls, wood beams, and modern furniture.
A cozy loft-style apartment with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and a modern kitchen.
Spacious loft with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and modern furnishings.
Cozy bedroom with exposed brick walls, recessed lighting, and modern furnishings.
Bedroom with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and patterned tile flooring.
A cozy bedroom with exposed wooden beams, brick wall, and checkered tile flooring.
A modern bathroom with a wood-tiled shower, vessel sink, and recessed lighting.
Sleek modern bathroom with vessel sink, dark vanity, and frameless mirror.

About Apartment M11

Revitalizing a Classic Barcelona Flat

In Barcelona’s Eixample, we faced a challenging starting point: a dated renovation from the 1980s. Initially, it seemed the refurbishment had wiped out all the unique features of this 1875 apartment. However, a thorough clean-up revealed hidden treasures like traditional Catalan hydraulic cement tiles and the original exposed brick walls and wooden beamed ceilings.

Restoring Original Beauty

Our approach stripped the apartment back to basics to spotlight the historical structural materials. We repurposed the intact hydraulic cement tiles to define and warm up various areas. In contrast, we treated new additions with light colors on smooth surfaces, setting them apart from the historic backdrop and highlighting the original architecture.

Addressing Layout Flaws

The existing layout failed to meet the new owners’ needs and lacked basic standards. For example, one bedroom had no windows, and a bathroom opened directly into the living room. We completely overhauled the floor plan, swapping the day and night areas for better functionality and privacy.

Designing for Light and Space

We designed an open L-shaped room at the front of the apartment to house the living space, which includes an office-kitchen, a dining table, and a living area. This space faces the street and enjoys plenty of natural light. At the back, overlooking the quieter interior courtyard, we positioned two spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. These rooms benefit from abundant light due to their south-west orientation.

Photography by David Benito Cortázar

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- by Matt Watts

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