Globetrotting Entrepreneur’s Home in Barcelona Carved out of Old Workshop

55 square meters of space might not sound like much, but for Mariana de Delás + Marcos Duffo, it was enough of a space to be turned into a stylish and exceptional apartment for a young entrepreneur based in Barcelona. This space-savvy apartment with low ceilings seems even more amazing when you consider that it was previously a motorcycle workshop a neglected squatting house. The new interior borrows architectural elements from the existing structure like the exposed brick wall in the living room and the wooden ceiling beams even as the white epoxy resin flooring adds contemporary gloss and radiance to a small, forgotten space.

Exposed-brick-walls-and-ceiling-wooden-beams-bring-contrast — Exposed brick walls and ceiling wooden beams bring contrast

Bedroom-in-white-with-built-in-shelving-green-window-frames-and-ceiling-beams-217x155

Colorful-and-creative-bedroom-with-low-ceiling-217x155

White-gives-the-interior-a-uniform-backdrop-217x155

Greeen-adds-vibrance-to-the-bathroom-in-white-217x155

Unique-wall-fan-designed-specifically-for-the-apartment-with-low-ceiling-217x155

Since the homeowner is more on the move and the Raval Hideaway is mainly a space to rest, rejuvenate and host between his long trips, the need for extensive use of décor was avoided. A loud club and bar right across the street and the noisy street itself dictated the presence of a front garden with twin doors – one that is made out of folding, perforated iron sheets and the other crafted using sliding glass doors. This creates a fabulous front garden with built-in seating that also acts as an acoustic shield, keeping out both noise and prying eyes!

White-epoxy-resin-flooring-gives-the-interior-a-more-spacious-visual-appeal — White epoxy resin flooring gives the interior a more spacious visual appeal

Sliding-glass-doors-of-the-front-garden — Sliding glass doors of the front garden

Old-motorcycle-workshop-turned-into-a-modern-apartment-in-Barcelona — Old motorcycle workshop turned into a modern apartment in Barcelona

Iron-mesh-doors-keep-out-the-busy-street-noise — Iron mesh doors keep out the busy street noise

Custom-furniture-and-bench-for-the-living-area — Custom furniture and bench for the living area

Custom-low-slung-decor-for-the-Barcelona-apartment — Custom low-slung decor for the Barcelona apartment

Front-garden-and-seating-create-a-buffer-zone — Front garden and seating create a buffer zone

Step inside and you will find an open living area with minimal décor in the front and a relaxing, private bedroom in the rear. Custom built-in décor along with smart partitions delineate the public and private zones with pops of green and yellow adding color to the bright, modern interior. Despite the low ceiling, one still finds the apartment visually spacious thanks to the flooring, color scheme and the lack of conventional décor. A perfect hideaway for the constant traveler! [Photography: Jose Hevia]