El Guateque Barcelona by Adrià Escolano & David Steegmann.

Adrià Escolano and David Steegmann have reinvigorated the shell of a Barcelona home in a state of near-ruin. The pair divided the existing single-family house into two independent units, dubbed El Guateque. In the process, they stitched together a series of past demolitions, modifications, and half-completed alterations. The result is a collection of beautifully articulated, flexible spaces that perfectly capture the personality and style of the clients.

The kitchen stands as one of the most special moments in the project. A wall of cabinetry stretches across the space in a straight line, offering a warm counterbalance to the otherwise neutral scheme. The rectilinear design begins to alter its rhythmic form when it meets the wall, as an organic, jagged edge replaces a straight line. The tension between straight and organic, rhythmic and unpredictable brings visual interest we love.

The design of the kitchen was approached as if it were a project all of its own – the technical furniture pieces that fit out the rest of the building informed by those beginning in the kitchen.

A dusty terracotta shade becomes the main colour injection throughout the project, breaking up the otherwise neutral light scheme. The faded orange tone colours the internal stairwell before wrapping itself around the bathroom and the external courtyard. The material speaks to the traditional vernacular of the neighbourhood, creating a contemporary home that still respectful of its context. Pops of deep green can be found through vegetation and the addition of green coloured columns. The two come together to create a sense of beauty and warmth we find irresistibly welcoming.

Related: A Table (II) in Barcelona, Spain by ESCOLANO + STEEGMANN.

[Photography by José Hevia.]