MILANS
The demolition of Barcelona’s Palau Reial Menor (1850) paved the way for the last
urban development before the city walls were torn down. The creation of three streets —Palau, Comtessa, and Milans— marked the beginning of the future housing typologies of the Eixample, which replaced medieval dwellings. This urban experiment was characterised by regular blocks as well as others with complex geometries, such as this house in Plaça Milans, designed by F. D. Molina and the most singular piece of the new neighbourhood.
The renovation does not aim to make a bold statement but rather to highlight the 150 years of the building’s history with its overlapping layers. The original layout differs from traditional apartments: there are no corridors, and the space flows, creating cross views. The intervention seeks to enhance and preserve these qualities by removing doors and accessing the rooms from the ends, freeing the curved façade that faces the square.
The elements introduced do not form a homogeneous palette; instead, they address specific challenges as they arise. A curtain follows the curves of the façade, providing privacy. In the areas in poorer condition, a new hydraulic floor draws a carpet-like pattern. The kitchen retains its secondary role but is updated with marble, steel, and a pale green floor.
