Situated on a ground floor in Gràcia with a street-facing façade, we discovered a small, charming commercial unit with a rear courtyard, where we decided to set up our own studio. Although the property was in near-original condition, suffering from damp pathologies and with all the building’s plumbing services running exposed through it, we embarked on the refurbishment.

The concept was to create a single, continuous space featuring cross ventilation, whilst maximising the influx of light from both the street and the courtyard. By taking advantage of the irregular geometry and the slight change in level at the entrance, we defined the different environments: the meeting area, the workspace, the printing and binding zone, and a small kitchenette at the rear.

The central areas of the studio were naturally the darkest; therefore, we installed a glazed transom in the partition separating the kitchenette to allow light to filter through from the courtyard.

All the services hanging from the ceiling were concealed beneath a continuous suspended plasterboard ceiling, yet without covering the majority of the original timber beams, thus preserving the unit’s historic character. The courtyard, open to the block interior, retained two beams that presumably once supported a roof structure. We cleaned the space, repaired the walls, and designed a series of planters with an integrated bench, creating a pleasant, secluded spot to unwind and enjoy the tranquillity of the Gràcia neighbourhood.