Located in the central district of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat—one of the city’s historic cores—we find this mid-terrace single-family house comprising a ground floor plus two upper storeys, complete with a garage and a rear courtyard. Our clients purchased the property, originally built in 1976, with the intention of carrying out a comprehensive refurbishment and installing a lift.

The house was well-maintained and structurally sound, yet it retained its original finishes and flooring. Our proposal consisted of a general modernisation or “facelift,” whilst seizing the opportunity to open up specific areas to create a more open-plan feel and maximise the influx of natural light.

Regarding the layout, the bathrooms were enlarged, and two bedrooms were merged to create a spacious master suite featuring a dressing room. The kitchen-diner, which overlooked the rear courtyard terrace, was extended and opened up to create a large, airy space connected to the exterior, facilitating effective cross ventilation.

The new lift was installed in the internal courtyard, providing access to the various floors via the stair landings, thereby unifying the building’s vertical circulation core.

The original staircase accessing the upper floors was retained, with the steps being clad in timber flooring to match the rest of the dwelling. By replacing the original banister with a much lighter, contemporary design, the staircase was fully integrated into the home—a significant change given that it had originally served as a communal stair between two independent apartments.

The rear courtyard is arranged over different levels, presenting a challenge with existing railings that prevented it from being perceived as a unified space. To resolve this, we designed a bench on one of the terraces that visually connects the two levels, transforming the retaining wall into a form of tiered seating. This created a highly pleasant spot for sitting and conversing with family or friends.