Seven Lives Housing

Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach

SEVEN LIVES HOUSING

Anna & Eugeni Bach

ARCHITECTS
Anna & Eugeni Bach

LEAD ARCHITECT
Roger Molas

DESIGN TEAM
Mario Sousa, Milagros Caputo

MODEL
Eric Broder

PROMOTOR
Auriac

MEP CONSULTANTS
Atres80 SL / Joan Escanelles

PHOTOGRAPHS
Eugeni Bach

YEAR
2020

STRUCTURE
Masala consultors

LOCATION
Barcelona, Spain

CATEGORY
Apartments, Residential

The project consists of a small block of three tiny apartments on a plot between established buildings in the old centre of the Horta neighbourhood in Barcelona.

Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach

Our first reflection in acting in this sort of urban environment, so characteristic of the city, is to design a proposal that both conserves the character of the neighbourhood while doing so from a contemporary perspective.

In this sense, the façade facing the street is made up of the usual elements and proportions in the neighbourhood: balconies, blinds, baseboards, stucco, etc.

But we give the facade a twist in its details and the simplicity of its elements, with the peculiarity that one of these elements’ escapes from the perimeter of the façade.

Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach

The effect is, on the one hand, to tie up the neighbouring lot, which is the only one on the street that does not comply with the rules of “good neighbourliness”, as it has one more floor than is allowed.

On the other hand, it promotes the open space of the terrace, as another living space for the enjoyment of the neighbours.

The plot is tight in all its dimensions, allowing for an apartment of only 40 m2 per floor.

Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach

Given the scarcity of surface, the proposal adds value to the homes through a central space that includes the staircase, kitchen and bathroom.

This provides for two equal spaces on both facades, one faces the street and the other the block’s interior patio.

With this solution, we intend to provide a certain indeterminacy in the use of these spaces.

Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach

They can be set up as a traditional home, with the placement of a double room on one side and a living room on the other, or they can provide for a shared home in the style of a student flat, with two symmetrical spaces.

Summing up all of the different combinations, there are seven ways of living in these three houses, seven lives, like seven windows.


Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach
Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach


Seven Lives Housing
Plan - Situation
Seven Lives Housing
Plan - Site plan
Seven Lives Housing
Plan - Ground floor
Seven Lives Housing
Plan - 1st floor
Seven Lives Housing
Plan - 2nd floor
Seven Lives Housing
Plan - 3rd floor


Seven Lives Housing
Longitudinal section
Seven Lives Housing
Diagram


Seven Lives Housing
Street elevation
Seven Lives Housing
Courtyard elevation


Seven Lives Housing
Sketch 01
Seven Lives Housing
Sketch 02


Seven Lives Housing
© Eugeni Bach