Renovation of commercial
premises for the new
Oliver Segura Architecture studio
Gràcia, Barcelona.
The new studio of Oliver Segura Arquitectura is located in the heart of the Gràcia neighbourhood (Barcelona), on the ground floor of a 1930 building. The project was conceived with a clear purpose: to recover the original character of the space and transform it into a contemporary, warm workspace that remains connected to its urban and material context.
The intervention is conceived as a comprehensive renovation guided by heritage restoration criteria, prioritising the enhancement of the original construction elements of the former building. The project removes the coatings and additions that once concealed its structure, revealing the texture and authenticity of the brick and masonry walls, now transformed into the defining features of the space.
Location: Gràcia, Barcelona
Area: 120 m2
Year: 2025
Photography: Marío Martínez
The interior courtyard acts as the central and defining element of the project. Conceived as a source of natural light and ventilation, it organises the floor plan and creates a fluid relationship between the different work areas. Clad in white and red Catalan tiles, this semi-outdoor space acquires its own identity, contrasting with the sobriety of the interior while serving as a visual and climatic connector. The full opening of the steel and glass doors allows both areas to merge, extending the perception of the interior towards the exterior and giving the courtyard a leading role in the studio’s daily life.
The lightweight roof, made of laminated pine wood and polycarbonate, partially covers the courtyard, creating an atmosphere that sits between interior and exterior. A mechanically operated skylight is integrated into the structure, enhancing cross ventilation and contributing to the natural comfort of the space.
Over time, the climbing plants and diverse vegetation will colonise the walls and the structure, transforming the courtyard into a living greenhouse — a small green oasis in the heart of the city.
The studio’s furniture has been custom-designed, combining the warmth of wood with the precision of steel.
A standout feature is a modular shelving unit that also functions as a lamp, integrating lighting and storage into a single constructive gesture.
Each piece follows a functional and handcrafted logic, in harmony with the domestic scale of the space and the studio’s design philosophy.
The exposed electrical installation is executed with galvanised steel conduit and manual toggle switches.
Elements that reinforce the technical and honest character of the space, where each construction component is revealed without embellishment.
The metal carpentry has been executed with millimetric precision, tailored to the proportions of the space and the project’s architectural language.
Its matte green finish brings balance and serenity, softening the industrial materiality and giving the space a more human feel.
Made from standard steel profiles, it incorporates continuous glass enclosures, allowing for a transparent, uninterrupted view throughout the studio: from the street to the meeting room, the space is perceived as a single open, bright and permeable volume.
In the bathroom area, the project embraces the nobility of exposed materials — Gero brick, lime mortar and Catalan tile — applied with a contemporary interpretation that preserves the material and constructive honesty of the space.
The project combines respect for the pre-existing structure with a contemporary language, using materials that are compatible with the original construction and coherent with the domestic scale of the neighbourhood. Wood brings warmth; steel adds precision and lightness; and the continuous self-levelling mortar flooring provides unity and sobriety to the whole.
The abundant natural light, cross ventilation and material honesty create a serene atmosphere designed both for focused work and the exchange of ideas. Beyond a professional workspace, the new studio functions as a project laboratory and meeting place, where architectural practice blends with daily life and sensory exploration.
The result is an exercise in balance between memory and contemporary design, celebrating the beauty of the essential and demonstrating how architecture can regenerate Barcelona’s everyday heritage with a respectful, sustainable and profoundly human approach.
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