The New Face of BSP20

During his more than five years working on a residential renovation project, Raúl Sánchez revealed the many obstacles that hindered the continuity of construction. As a result, the house that was supposed to be renovated, too, gradually became more fragile until it was on the verge of collapse.

(Front façade of BSP20 House)

Ultimately, this renovation project was realized in 2020 after a long wait. Seeing the condition of the building that was no longer habitable, Raúl Sánchez Architects decided to tear down some parts of the volume, floor slabs, and stairs.

(A white spiral staircase connects each floor)

In the process, the team was advised to retain the original character of this house in the Borne neighborhood of Barcelona, such as a façade featuring hydraulic tiles, exposed brick dividing walls, and roof slabs.

(Architect Raúl Sánchez preserved the original brick walls of the building)

Guided by this suggestion, Raúl Sánchez continued this project by building three new floors, so they did not touch the front façade and the rear dividing wall. As a result, these three new floors created a slight cavity as a distance separating part of the façade. However, the existence of this cavity is the next problem faced by the team. In response to this problem, glass panels are added in the cavity as a link between the façade and the volume.

(Glass panels as a link to the front façade and new volume)

(Bottom floor view viewed from the glass panels)

In addition, the team also built a spiral staircase as a new volume barrier and a dividing wall, as well as the main link and access to the three new floors. Above this spiral staircase is a glass opening upstairs as a natural lighting circulation for the entire interior of the BSP20 house.

(Stairs equipped with guardrails for safety)

(Natural light penetrates in from the glass gap above the stairs)

To enhance the BSP20 house, Raúl Sánchez gave a warm touch through oak applied to the floor. Not only that but simple decorations are also displayed through a kitchen set wrapped in sparkling gold panels.

The final process of the BSP20 home renovation project resulted in a building that developed slowly in the character and history of a strong site.

(Kitchen set coated with brass)

(Varnished wooden surfaces of pale color in the bathroom)

(Terrace upstairs)