Avinguda Catalunya 11 is a residential project located in the historical district of Sant Cugat del Vallès, on the outskirts in Barcelona. The building comprises ten two-bedroom apartment units and two commercial spaces. As the site is located within the landmarked area, the design choices were made contemplating the architectural guidelines' rigor.
The composition of the façade results from interpreting the proportions and rhythm of the historical surrounding buildings, its main elements being the corner and the cornice. The decision to emphasize derives from studying the old buildings' tectonic as well as the divorce between the structural elements' function and their architectural expression.
The skin's predominant quality, its brick language, was attained by drawing a system that set the guidelines for construction, particularly, for the corner's detail. The detail of the project's masonry aims to create a fading effect that grants dynamism to the corner as well as plasticity to a material that is characterized by its rigidity. The building's glass base grants lightness, which stands in stark contrast with the heaviness and greyness of the brick.
The building's materiality comprehends the discrete simplicity of the brick, yet, respectfully suggests elegance and presence amongst the context of traditional local architecture. The handmade bricks amplify the subtle variations of color and texture throughout the changing light of the day as well as recognize the value of craftsmanship. The different brick dimensions, tones, and misaligned joints provide a homogenous, nonetheless, rich surface.
The large windows permeate the natural light as their frames cast shadow on the façade intensifying the sense of depth. The envelope has a porous nature that brings light and spaciousness to the interior while complying with the limited percentage of allowed opening.
ALBERTO ALVAREZ ARA, ANDREA GONZALEZ MAROTO FITA, BELEN ALVAREZ ARA, CARLES TORRAS INST OBRES 49, JOAN VALERA INST. VALDOMAR, JORDI BERNADÓ ESTUDIO JORDI BERNADÓ, MATTHEW JAMES WILSON FITA
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