Conserving the Past to Inhabit the Present

Who hasn’t come across unexpected surprises when renovating a twentieth-century home? Stripping a space down to its bones often reveals hidden treasures, such as coffered ceilings concealed behind false plaster ones or walls deliberately masking the building’s original structure. Before the 1980s, Spain was eager to embrace modernity, bringing an influx of materials that had rarely been seen before. Carpets, linoleum, porcelain stoneware, and PVC marquetry replaced handcrafted, natural elements.

These new materials gradually overshadowed the rich design heritage that had long defined Spanish interiors—starting with the iconic hydraulic tiles, a Mediterranean staple since the late nineteenth century. These beautifully patterned, cool tiles were ideally suited for warm climates. Yet today, it is rare to find Nolla mosaic floors that have survived multiple renovations. With few exceptions, they were largely removed, just as many architectural gems were lost in Spain’s major cities.

When we founded our studio in 1999, we witnessed demolitions like that of the iconic Torino café on Passeig de Gràcia. For our generation, it was unimaginable to see such irreparable losses; to watch history being discarded without a second thought. That is why, like many of our peers, we chose to reclaim the past. Among other reasons, we did so to preserve our roots. After all, what would Barcelona’s Eixample be today without architectural treasures like Casa Burés?

Built in the early twentieth century, its construction showcased the finest craftsmanship of the time. Oleguer Junyent, the Gran Teatre del Liceu’s stage designer, oversaw the overall decoration. The mosaic floors and marquetry were the work of Pau Roig, while the renowned modernist artisan Gaspar Homar crafted the woodwork, including a stunning fireplace adorned with mosaics depicting a scene from Hansel and Gretel. By the time we began the renovation, the deterioration was undeniable. Layers upon layers of paint had buried the gold leaf. The once-imposing bear sculpture in the lobby was disfigured, and even the elevator motor and historic pipes had vanished.

The challenge was to restore as much as possible so that today, in Barcelona’s ever-evolving landscape, anyone passing by Casa Burés can witness the vision of architect Francesc Berenguer. His design was a study in contrast—a sober facade that gives way to the grandeur of modernism, glimpsed through the front door. The renovation took three years, during which we worked tirelessly to conserve and protect this historic building, maintaining its original essence. But here is the key question: In 2025, does it still make sense to live in a home designed with a mindset from over a century ago?

I believe a building’s essence can be preserved while adapting it to contemporary lifestyles. This was our approach at Casa Burés, where we designed various apartment types, and it’s the same philosophy we applied to Lo Molí, proving that, yes, it is possible to live in a sixteenth-century mill. I know this because, after nearly four years of restoration work in Priorat, Tarragona, I have stayed in touch with its owner. She grew up nearby, spending long afternoons playing in its surroundings, and as a writer, she even set one of her books in this enclave by the Montsant River.

For the novelist, acquiring Lo Molí was a dream come true, and once she did, we all worked together to embrace the building’s defining feature: its verticality. The owner knew from the beginning that living in this space meant fully experiencing this unique characteristic. Above all, as a building listed as a Local Cultural Interest site, and thanks to the collaboration of a large team of skilled craftsmen, we were able to revive a way of building that is deeply rooted in the culture of Priorat—just like any local tradition—using locally sourced materials.

Ultimately, the way a building is constructed shapes its identity. We saw this clearly in the renowned Banco Urquijo housing complex, designed by José Antonio Coderch in the early 1970s, and in one of the homes we carefully restored there through a discreet, almost imperceptible intervention. Our goal was for our work to go unnoticed and for the space to subtly reconnect with Mediterranean vernacular architecture, just as the architect had envisioned. But beyond that, as with all our projects, this apartment in the heart of Barcelona now tells a story. It honors its origins without being trapped in the past, embracing its role and purpose in the twenty-first century.

Main image: Lo Molí, El Priorat, Tarragona, sixteenth century, renovation 2023, estudio vilablanch. Photo © Eugeni Pons