Torre Diagonal stands as one of Barcelona’s tallest residential buildings, rising 26 storeys and housing 124 apartments, 30 offices, and a car park. The commission for this intervention entailed the comprehensive management required to make the transformation of a partially built structure—originally intended as an office building—viable for conversion into residential use.

Following the 2007 financial crisis, a 20-storey structure was left in a halted state. The original design included a projected cantilever over the square equivalent to five storeys. To repurpose the existing project, an Urban Improvement Plan (PMU) was executed to reorganise the massing and uses foreseen in the planning regulations. The proposal involved relocating the five cantilevered storeys vertically, thereby achieving a total height of 26 storeys and freeing up the public space below.

The proposal received the endorsement of the Barcelona Architecture Commission, and the project was supervised to ensure environmental and economic sustainability. It proved to be a resounding commercial success, with the apartments being sold off-plan in just two months.

Communal swimming pools were installed on the building’s rooftop, offering truly unique views of the city and the sea. The dwellings were customised for each client, always adhering to criteria of functional architecture without compromising the global image of the complex.

A key aspect of this project to highlight is that, in high-rise buildings of this nature, factors such as wind loads and the maintenance of building services must be carefully considered. Consequently, materials had to be meticulously selected to ensure optimal performance against high-intensity winds.