In the dense urban fabric of Barcelona, “mireia and toni’s house (and joan’s and laia’s)” by vora arquitectura demonstrates an unconventional approach to compact residential buildings. On a plot in the Sants district that is only 3.60 meters wide and deep, the architects have designed a house that meets the challenges of confined spaces with intelligent organization and a consistent choice of materials.
The narrow structure of the building requires a clear division of the rooms. A centrally positioned atrium provides natural lighting and connects the various levels both visually and functionally. Access is via a staircase running along the central axis, which is linked to the atrium. This eliminates the need for traditional corridors and makes optimum use of the living space.
The floor plan organization follows a linear sequence of rooms. Access is through the garage, which also serves as the entrance area. Behind it is the central kitchen, whose storage space is cleverly integrated under the first landing. The first floor ends with the spacious living room with double-height ceilings, which opens out into the deep garden.
The vertical organization of the house follows a stepped structure. The staircase connects half levels with each other, linking the rooms on different levels. On the first intermediate level, there is an open gallery above the living area that serves as a workspace. It remains part of the living space and creates a visual permeability between the floors.
The second floor is symmetrically structured. The bedrooms are located on the street façade, while a work or play area and a small bathroom are arranged on the courtyard side. The sanitary facilities are spread over two half levels: One half contains the shower, the other the WC, which cleverly compensates for the narrow width of the house.
The roof of the house is designed as an additional living area. It is enclosed by high walls that provide privacy and still allow it to be used as an open space. The terrace is divided into two parts and follows the staggered arrangement of the interior spaces: a raised platform offers a view of the garden.
The street and courtyard façades are constructed from double layers of brick with insulation in between. Deep window openings enhance the sculptural effect of the façade and provide seating areas within the living spaces. The windows are designed so that one half is permanently glazed, while the other has an openable, narrow section that provides access to small balconies.
The interiors are kept simple: Exposed brickwork dominates the surfaces. In the lower areas, the walls are plastered and painted white, while the floor surfaces are made of microcement. In some areas, two-tone mosaic tiles break up the materiality. The central atrium is a design highlight: its walls clad in glazed tiles reflect daylight into the lower areas of the building.
The building’s supporting structure is based on a hybrid system. Four portals running transverse to the building axis structure the building. Steel columns are integrated at the edges of the building to ensure maximum openness. In the middle, brick pillars support the main girders and thus relieve the adjacent existing buildings. The ceilings consist of steel girders with ceramic elements, which allow for a lightweight yet resilient construction.
A special feature is the integration of an existing natural stone wall. This is part of an adjacent existing structure and remains as a visible element in the interior. In the upper area, it is continued with brickwork in order to blend in with the overall appearance of the house.
The house relies on passive air conditioning. Underfloor heating provides warmth in winter, while ceiling fans ensure air circulation in summer. Air conditioning was deliberately avoided. The building services are inconspicuously integrated into the floor and wall structures so that the rooms remain free of visible installations.
The house in front of vora shows how clever planning can create functional yet homely architecture even on extremely narrow plots. The combination of a central atrium, staggered rooms and a reduced choice of materials results in a flexible living concept that provides an elegant solution to the tight building conditions.
