Architectural practice Be Studio has built a four-storey Churka residential complex organized around a central courtyard in the coastal area of Maresme.
Influenced by the local Mediterranean climate and coastal climate, this apartment block has a cream-coloured façade, with green blinds and ceramic tile decoration in front of the balconies, allowing the block to be 'surroundings'. This makes it possible to “integrate into the building”.
“The combination of continuous facade coatings and ceramic tile paving is a fundamental and common solution in Mediterranean architecture,” studio co-founder Silvia Bowerys Domenech told Dezeen.
“In this case, we complemented that by adding glazed ceramic tiles typical of Catalonia and corded sun blinds, elements that can also be found in traditional rural homes.” she added.
There is a bright and airy courtyard within the block, which serves as the center of the vertical flow line providing access to the seven residential units and serves as an important communication point between residents.
Seeking a different material language for the facade of the building, Be Studio designed an interior courtyard in white corrugated steel complemented by an orange staircase decorated with arched openings and an elevator tower clad in burnt red ceramic tiles. I completed it.
“The building is structured with a system of bands that organize internal and external zones,” said Bory Domenes.
“The courtyard occupies a central strip around which the residence can be arranged, allowing it to benefit from increased natural light and mutual ventilation,” she continued.
“The building's common spaces are very bright and spacious and are visible from within the seven residences. They have been designed to eliminate hidden, isolated or dangerous areas.”
There are two one-bedroom apartments at the front of the building and larger two- to three-bedroom apartments at the rear of the central courtyard.
Each larger apartment is strategically located around a central space with bathroom and laundry facilities, flanked by an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area on one side, and a bedroom on the other. and entrance hall were arranged.
Be Studio aimed to create a form of “inclusive housing” designed with a “gender perspective” by centralizing spaces for domestic activities.
“In terms of interior layout, the kitchen and cleaning area are open to the rest of the residence and are designed to accommodate multiple people at once,” said Bory Domenes.
“This approach prevents it from becoming a secondary space that promotes separation of roles within the family unit.”
Inside the apartment, the interior is predominantly white, with wood accents used on the windows and doors, and traditional ceramic tiles are repeated throughout the humid areas.
Outside, a large outdoor terrace, finished with tiled paving and pink walls, adjoins the living space of the ground floor residence. The apartments on the lower floors have two small patios created by cavities cut out from the upper terrace.
In addition, there is a shared roof terrace at the front of the building.
Be Studio was founded in 2018 by Baulies Domènech and Gaspar Bosch.
Other recently completed apartment complexes include a Melbourne apartment complex enlivened by bright yellow balconies and a Mallorcan duplex surrounded by dynamic shutters.
Photographed by Adria Gura.
Project credits:
architect: Be Studio, Gaspar Bosch, Sylvia Bowerys
Project execution manager: AIM facility
structure: Campagna Vinieta
