In the heart of Barcelona, where the city’s historical fabric meets the innovation-driven 22@ district, architecture firm Cierto Estudio brings a radical vision for collective housing to life with The Room Community, part of the larger Illa Glòries redevelopment. As Building A within a four-block ensemble designed by multiple architectural teams, the dwelling introduces a new model for modular, inclusive living. Comprising 51 units surrounding generous common areas, the design supports adaptable living, social equity, and sustainable practices. ‘We are incredibly proud of the Illa Glòries project. It represents a new model for urban living, one that prioritizes community, sustainability, and the well-being of its residents,’ says Cierto Estudio. 

What sets The Room Community apart is its full-spectrum approach to care, both social and environmental. From its cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure and passive climate strategies to its robust green infrastructure, with more than 60% of the plot being landscaped, the building meets NZEB standards while mitigating the urban heat island effect. At the social level, the project is conceived from a gender perspective, with strategies that support caregiving, safety, and shared responsibility. Wide, south-facing communal walkways double as balconies and connect homes to a rooftop garden, a shaded climate refuge and social platform that strengthens neighborly ties.

images © Jose Hevia, unless stated otherwise

dismantling the nuclear family through open, fluid typologies

Winning an international competition in 2017, Cierto Estudio, a practice founded by six women architects, proposed a housing typology that dismantles conventional domestic hierarchies. Their design challenges the nuclear-family norm, offering homes that are neutral in function yet rich in possibility. The layouts are fluid, with rooms of equal size and value, encouraging occupants to define how they live. Kitchens are no longer hidden or confined to traditional gender roles; instead, they are reimagined as open, social areas, visible from the entrance and integral to daily life. Sightlines stretch diagonally across apartments, while intersections between spaces create physical and visual continuity, allowing autonomy and collectivity to coexist.

Cierto Estudio unveils collective housing project The Room Community

The Room Community rethinks visibility as tool for spatial justice

The name of the project, The Room Community, hints at its spatial philosophy, centered on a modular system of square rooms, rotated and interconnected to create typologies without hierarchies. The central junction in the floor plan serves as a main organizing element, supporting adaptable configurations for diverse and evolving household structures. With no room dominating and no single function being fixed, the idea of home is elastic, evolving with the people who inhabit it.

Rather than isolating individual units, the building opens them to shared courtyards and balconies in a contemporary reinterpretation of the corrala typology, a traditional Spanish housing model characterized by multi-story buildings with dwellings facing inward toward a common courtyard or gallery. These communal spaces make way for spontaneous interaction and collective oversight, aiming to reduce gender-based violence by increasing visibility and mutual vigilance. 

designed as Building A within a four-block ensemble led by multiple architectural teams

what public housing can be when design leads

Commissioned by the Institut Municipal de l’Habitatge i Rehabilitació de Barcelona (IMHAB), the development represents a forward-thinking approach to public housing in a city facing growing affordability challenges. In a moment when housing is increasingly commodified and standardized, Illa Glòries signals what can be achieved when public institutions back thoughtful, community-oriented design. The collaboration between teams, including Cierto Estudio, Bayona-Valero, Cantallops-Vivente, Haz Arquitectura, and others, creates an urban block that is diverse and coherent at the same time. Alongside homes, ground-floor commercial spaces and pedestrian connections make the neighborhood more vibrant, knitting the new development into the dynamic rhythm of Barcelona. 

comprising 51 units surrounding generous common areas

the design supports adaptable living, social equity, and sustainable practices

south-facing communal walkways double as balconies and connect homes to a rooftop garden | image © Marta Vidal

the central junction in the floor plan serves as a main organizing element | image © Marta Vidal

a contemporary reinterpretation of the corrala typology | image © Marta Vidal

the name of the project, The Room Community, hints at its spatial philosophy

a modular system of square rooms, rotated and interconnected | image © Marta Vidal

no room dominates, and no single function is fixed | image © Marta Vidal

kitchens are no longer tucked away or gendered spaces | image © Marta Vidal

the layouts are fluid, with rooms of equal size | image © Marta Vidal

occupants define how they live

project info:

name: The Room Community – Illa Glòries

architects: Cierto Estudio | @ciertoestudio 
location: Plaça de las Glòries, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Barcelona, Spain

site area: 5,000 square meters
total built area: 35,000 square meters

design team: Marta Benedicto, Ivet Gasol, Carlota de Gispert, Anna Llonch, Lucia Millet, Clara Vidal with Mariana Gomes

collaborator: Franc Llonch
client: Institut Municipal de l’Habitatge i Rehabilitació de Barcelona (IMHAB)
construction company: SACYR
wood structure assembly: Velima
CLT supplier: Xilonor
landscape architects: Beatriz Borque + Miquel Mariné
structural engineering: Bernuz-Fernández Arquitectes S.L.P.
MEP engineering: Eletresjota Tecnics Associats S.L.P
environmental consultancy: Societat Orgànica +10 SCCL
acoustic consultancy: Àurea Acústica S.L.
construction management: Ángel Gil
photographers: José Hevia, Marta Vidal | @_martavidal

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With Barcelona named World Capital of Architecture for 2026, the city soon transforms into a living laboratory of design, hosting a ten-month programme of public installations, exhibitions, debates, and collaborative projects that explores how architecture shapes and responds to contemporary urban life. Anchored within this dynamic is the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), whose academic programmes have long prepared students to operate precisely in these experimental, city-scale contexts.

For over two decades, the school has been embedded in the city’s fabric as a site for testing architecture’s future, intersecting with technology, ecology, and culture. Its campus extends beyond the classroom, into urban spaces, fabrication labs, and forest sites, offering students a chance to explore design as something both applied and speculative, built and debated.

IAAC invites future architects to join its master’s programmes in Barcelona | all images courtesy of IAAC

IAAC BRIDGES EDUCATION & RESEARCH THROUGH REAL-WORLD Projects

IAAC is structured into five key research labs that operate at the edge of architecture and allied disciplines. These labs bring together designers, engineers, scientists, technologists, and makers in collaborative projects that respond to today’s most urgent challenges, ranging from climate adaptation to advanced construction. In partnership with institutions like MIT, CITA, Sci-Arc, and the Barcelona City Council, the institute explores how architecture can evolve through shared knowledge and cross-sector innovation. Learning happens by doing — students engage with real-world conditions and hands-on experimentation, from dense urban sites to remote forest environments.

master students work across disciplines to rethink the future of the built environment

MASTER PROGRAMMES OPEN PATHWAYS TO BARCELONA’S DESIGN FUTURE

As Barcelona prepares to host a city-wide conversation around the future of architecture, IAAC students will be working from within that dialogue, contributing to civic collaborations, independent experiments, and site-specific prototypes. The school’s master programmes span a wide range of disciplines, from advanced urbanism, ecological construction, and computational design, to emergent futures, robotics, and artificial intelligence. These diverse pathways share a commitment to reshaping the built environment through technological literacy and hands-on research that address the challenges of our time and the complexity of real environments.

design education unfolds through a long process of making and testing

To support access to these programmes, IAAC offers a limited number of competitive scholarships in the form of partial tuition waivers. Awarded based on merit and financial need, these range from 30–50% and are available to applicants who apply within the admissions deadlines. The next intake begins in October 2025. Final applications, including scholarship requests, are due by August 9th.

Become part of IAAC’s master programmes and engage directly with Barcelona’s World Capital of Architecture 2026 initiatives.

as World Capital of Architecture, Barcelona becomes a dynamic backdrop for architectural research and prototyping

the city’s public spaces become active learning sites

students prototype speculative futures within Barcelona’s evolving urban fabric

IAAC’s labs foster cross-sector innovation at the intersection of design and technology

proposals developed at IAAC contribute to Barcelona’s 2026 architecture agenda

project info:

institution: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) | @iaacbcn
master programmes: Master in Advanced Architecture, Master in Design for Emergent Futures, Master in Advanced Urban Planning & Data Analytics, Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings & Biocities, Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction, Master in AI for Architecture & the Built Environment, Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design

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Load Gallery, located in Barcelona, is a space for the exhibition of digital and hybrid artworks, utilizing advanced audiovisual systems to support varied formats of artistic expression. Established by tech entrepreneur Alex Simorré, also the founder of Artbox, the gallery draws on his experience in custom LED technology and large-format display systems, including Europe’s first curved cinema screen. Artbox’s technical capabilities form the foundation of Load’s infrastructure, enabling tailored digital installations that align with artists’ spatial and visual intentions.

The gallery features five panoramic LED screens positioned along the street-facing facade, ensuring continuous visibility. Inside, the Round Room serves as a dedicated immersive environment with four curved screens arranged in a circular layout. Inspired by organic geometries, the room is optimized for 360-degree digital content. Both the visual and acoustic components of the gallery are engineered for consistency across a wide range of digital media formats.

exterior view showing Load Gallery’s five panoramic LED screens | all images courtesy of Load Gallery and Alex Simorré

Load Gallery Integrates Display Systems into Artistic Experience

Exhibitions at Load Gallery explore how technical display systems shape audience engagement. ‘Neo Botanica’ (Group Exhibition, Feb–Mar 2025) used seamless screen transitions to present AI-generated flora in a continuous visual cycle, supporting a fluid progression between works by multiple artists. The technical setup maintained image clarity and uniform motion throughout. In ‘Portals’ by Mareo Rodriguez (Oct–Dec 2024), animated visuals simulated geological formations across the LED surfaces, with a central screen-based structure reinforcing the exhibition’s spatial composition. The Round Room’s curved format reinforced visual immersion by surrounding viewers with synchronized motion graphics. Luna Ikuta’s ‘Rebirth’ (May–Jun 2024) employed both sculptural and projected elements, supported by Load’s integrated lighting and projection systems. Physical and digital components coexisted within the same viewing zone, allowing for cross-medium interactions and spatial continuity. ‘Species’ by Six N. Five (Feb–Mar 2024) featured a short-form digital video presented at cinematic resolution. The gallery’s sound and display systems created a synchronized environment in which audio and video were spatially aligned. The installation emphasized technical accuracy in playback and presentation, contributing to perceptual depth and clarity.

Across all exhibitions, Load Gallery prioritizes material performance and system integration. Custom software supports adaptive content deployment, and the gallery’s infrastructure is designed for scalability, enabling future configurations without major structural changes. By integrating architectural design with digital display systems, Load facilitates a consistently high level of production quality in contemporary digital art exhibitions.

street-facing facade designed for continuous digital display visibility

Load’s custom audiovisual setup supports digital and hybrid artworks

the Round Room’s curved LED screens create a 360-degree immersive space

interior view highlighting the circular layout of the Round Room

advanced acoustic engineering ensures consistency across exhibitions

lighting and digital systems in Rebirth blur boundaries between mediums

gallery design inspired by organic geometries for optimized projection

seamless screen transitions used to animate AI-generated flora

Load’s screen configurations evolve to meet varying artistic intentions

display surfaces and audio systems calibrated for perceptual coherence

gallery infrastructure supports large-format display and adaptive content

physical space and software integration allow for modular installation setups

Load Gallery integrates architectural and digital systems into a unified exhibition platform

project info:

name: Load gallery | @load.gallery
founder and CEO: Alex Simorré

location: Load gallery, Carrer Llull 134, Barcelona, Spain

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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GdSB Arquitectes and Marvel Architects emerge as winners of the international design competition for Les Tres Xemeneies (The Three Chimneys). This adaptive reuse project will transform Barcelona’s iconic power plant in Sant Adrià de Besòs into Catalunya Media City. The proposal envisions a digital and media hub while preserving the three towering chimneys, symbols of the industrial past of the city, through a series of strategic architectural interventions that weave the structure into the urban fabric. Selected from 26 entrants in a two-stage competition, the winning design sets the stage for a creative ecosystem.

public space over plateau building looking to the logistics street | all images by Studio kmh, unless stated otherwise

the winning proposal respects the monumental structure’s past

Originally built in the 1970s as part of a thermal power plant, Les Tres Xemeneies ceased operations in 2011, leaving behind a monumental structure between Barcelona and Badalona. The Barcelona-based GdSB Arquitectes and Marvel Architects’ winning scheme respects the historical significance of the site while carving out spatial connections to integrate it with its surroundings. The design introduces deliberate cuts and openings within the existing industrial shell, creating porous, adaptable spaces for media production, technology, and cultural programming. This approach ensures that the power plant retains its striking silhouette while evolving into an accessible and multifunctional landmark.

While the chimneys remain the most recognizable feature of the site, the project’s focus lies in revitalizing the turbine hall—an expansive structure originally designed with three modular sections, each corresponding to a chimney. The architects embraced this modular rhythm, extending the hall with an additional module to create a balanced, symmetrical composition. This intervention enhances the spatial potential of the building while maintaining a dialogue with its industrial origins.

sea view of the Catalunya Media City Complex and landscape | image by Filippo Bolognese Images 

construction to take shape in the coming years

With construction anticipated in the coming years, Les Tres Xemeneies stands as a testament to the potential of adaptive reuse in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Positioned as the heart of Catalunya Media City, the reimagined complex will host a vibrant mix of creative industries, technological research, and digital experiences. A central courtyard, introduced as part of the redesign, brings natural light and ventilation deep into the building, creating an atmosphere. Spatially, the project establishes a clear distinction between past and future, with the first three floors unifying the existing and new structures, while the upper levels subtly separate to highlight the contrast between heritage and contemporary interventions. By expanding the volume without exceeding the original height, the design achieves a sense of equilibrium—bridging the site’s industrial legacy with its role in the digital age.

lobby of the new building addition to the south

north facade of the existing building with balcony towards El Maresme

Interior courtyard for social interaction | image by Filippo Bolognese Images

Experience Hall during setup for an event | image by Filippo Bolognese Images  

Event in the Experience Hall | image by Filippo Bolognese Images  

south digital facade of the new building addition to the south | image by Filippo Bolognese Images  

project info:

name: Les Tres Xemeneies renovation 

architects: GdSB Arquitectes | @gdsb_arquitectes, Marvel Architects | @marvel_is_design

location: Barcelona, Spain

renders: Filippo Bolognese Images | @filippobolognese.images, Studio kmh | @studiokmh

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GRAT Studio reconstructs Casa Biaix along the Aubareda Path in Barcelona, integrating traditional Catalan architectural elements with contemporary design. Positioned on a small hill within a pine forest and an olive grove, the structure is in close proximity to one of the city’s oldest oak trees. The design preserves the historical exterior shape of the farmhouse while introducing a new formal and material language inside. It frames views of the regenerating landscape, partially transformed by a recent wildfire. An austere materiality of lime mortar is applied throughout the project, reintroducing a material traditionally used in rural houses. The local limestone, characteristic of the interiors in Catalonia, defines the color palette of the project.

all images by Simone Marcolin

GRAT Studio utilizes traditional lime mortar and local limestone

GRAT Studio’s architectural team organizes the daytime program on the ground floor to enhance visual connections with a landscape that changes throughout the seasons. On the upper floor of Casa Biaix, the rooms are arranged along a diagonal hallway that shapes the distinctive interior geometry. That oblique form is used to optimize service spaces and accommodate an additional room for the family. The adjacent annex becomes a new living space, connected to the main house by a new spiral staircase. The rear facade opens up, making the house completely accessible and exposed to the elements.

Casa Biaix integrates traditional Catalan elements with contemporary design

lime mortar, traditionally used in rural houses, defines the materiality

a new formal and material language is introduced within the interior

a new annex functions as an extension of the main living space

a newly designed spiral staircase connects the annex to the house

the metallic white staircase subtly contrasts the interior’s rustic textures

a diagonal hallway on the upper floor organizes the interior layout

large openings establish strong visual connections with the natural surroundings

interior spaces balance tradition and modern functionality

the project’s color palette is influenced by Catalonia’s characteristic limestone

GRAT Studio emphasizes material continuity with local construction techniques

the oblique geometry optimizes service spaces and incorporates an extra room

Casa Biaix harmonizes past and present through thoughtful design choices

positioned on a hill, the house is surrounded by a pine forest and an olive grove

project info:

name: Casa Biaix
architect: GRAT Studio | @grat.works

location: Aubareda Path, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

lead architect: Guillem Elvira

photographer: Simone Marcolin | @simoneemarcolin

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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The Prefab House Changeover is a small red dwelling perched on a cluster of shotcrete pillars in the woodlands of Barcelona. Spanish studio TEST was presented with the challenge to revitalize a deteriorating wooden house, originally built on a nine-pillar foundation, that had been left to rot in the mountains. Rather than demolishing the structure entirely, the Spanish studio proposed three potential replacement strategies to the new owners, ultimately selecting a modular, prefabricated system to rest atop the existing foundations, prioritizing flexible living inside and out.

all images by Gregori Civera

test studio ensures adaptability for residents and the structure

Compact and structurally efficient, the new house spans 60 square meters and consists of eight balloon-framed modules, each measuring 3x3x3 meters. The units are stacked on reinforced sprayed concrete pillars that reduce impact on the terrain and are secured with mechanical fasteners that allow for ease of assembly and potential future modifications. The team at TEST has also clad the modules in textured wood, allowing the house to integrate with the surrounding landscape despite its bold red envelop.

Internally, the layout and finish maintain a minimalist aesthetic with a slight industrial feel. In its design, it embraces flexibility over rigid programming, avoiding fixed elements to ensure the structure can adapt to different spatial needs and configurations over time. The architects have also integrated an outer wooden shell which encases the glazing, allowing the Prefab House to open almost entirely up to its surroundings, with views of the foliage engulfing residents from all sides, or closed up entirely for an intimate retreat.

TEST completes Prefab House Changeover

a small red dwelling perched on a cluster of pillars

the facade opens up to take in views of the surrounding woodlands

rather than demolishing the structure entirely, the studio proposed three potential replacement strategies

a bold red hue wraps the facade and the interiors

a modular system for adaptability is employed

the house’s modules are clad in textured wood

resting atop the existing nine-pillar foundation

a shotcrete finish

project info: 

name: Prefab House Changeover

architect: TEST | @test.bcn

location: Barcelona, Spain

photographer: Gregori Civera | @gregori_civera

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The newly completed Estudio-Casa for Spanish interior designer Isern Serra in the Poble Nou neighborhood of Barcelona embodies a vision of creating a studio environment that feels as welcoming and comfortable as a home. Serra’s concept, STUDIO_HOME, reflects a deliberate effort to design a space that balances functionality with the warmth and humanity of a home.

Estudio-Casa was designed to capture the essence of humanity — creating an environment that fosters creativity and comfort. The goal was to establish a studio where ideas could flow naturally, encouraging reflection and inspiration. The space is carefully curated to make creative work feel deeply personal, with each element selected to evoke a sense of ease and familiarity.

images © Salva López

a curated Space to reflect isern serra’s design identity

Every object in Estudio-Casa, from design pieces to custom-made studio furniture, has been thoughtfully chosen by Barcelona-based Isern Serra and the design team led by Aasheen Mittal. More than just decorative, these objects serve to represent the identity and values of the designer. The space combines functionality with personal meaning, creating an environment where every detail contributes to the overall atmosphere.

The design of the space draws inspiration from domestic spaces. The layout is intentionally free of rigid divisions, fluidly blending the studio’s work and living areas. By structuring the space as one might design a home, the studio offers inviting corners where comfort and inspiration can be found. The work and living areas are divided subtly, with each zone encouraging a sense of relaxation and creativity.

Estudio-Casa blends work and home for Isern Serra in Poble Nou

An Ever-Evolving, Gallery-Like Atmosphere

Estudio-Casa was conceived as both a workspace studio for Isern Serra and as an open venue for hosting intimate gatherings, talks, and events in Barcelona. The space is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas, providing a platform for creative dialogue that leaves guests with new insights. With its welcoming atmosphere, Estudio-Casa allows visitors to engage with the studio and its projects as active participants.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Estudio-Casa is its transformation into a dynamic gallery space. The studio is carefully curated to feature a rotating collection of artwork, design pieces, and brand elements that tell a broader story about identity, innovation, and creativity. This gallery-like atmosphere blends the intimacy of a home with the professional polish of an exhibition space, making every corner a point of visual interest.

the space is designed to inspire creativity and personal reflection

The studio is located on the fourth floor of a 1960s industrial building in Poble Nou. The space is divided by an elevated platform, separating the closed areas (such as the meeting room, bathrooms, and storage) from the open living and working areas. Above the platform, the kitchen and living spaces act as the studio’s communal areas, while the workspaces are positioned closer to the natural light on the lower level.

Visitors are welcomed into Estudio-Casa through a small entrance marked by a step and a change in level. The curved walls immediately set a soft, inviting tone. On the left, an arched meeting room with a custom cream-colored lacquered table greets guests, while on the right, an arched tunnel leads to the bathroom, illuminated by an alabaster lamp. These architectural details lend a sculptural quality to the entrance.

each element in the studio is carefully chosen for its meaning and connection

At the heart of the studio lies the living room and kitchen, spaces designed for gathering and conversation. The living room features custom-made furniture, including a red travertine stone table and a vintage FM60 armchair, all illuminated by soft lighting that enhances the warm, monochromatic tones of the space. Across from the living area, the kitchen and dining room create a central hub for the studio, where a large lacquered table and sculptural lighting elements contribute to the overall feeling of peace and calm.

Stepping down from the living area, two large concrete tables anchor the studio’s workspaces. These sculptural pieces, designed to appear almost floating, are essential to the design’s overall aesthetic. Behind them, built-in shelves display materials, books, and objects that further infuse the space with life and personality. The studio’s gallery-like atmosphere is maintained here, with soft lighting and art objects enhancing the workspace.

the layout blurs the boundaries between living and working areas

the studio transforms into a gallery with ever-changing art and design pieces

Estudio-Casa serves as an open space for events and creative dialogue

the living room and kitchen are the heart of the studio for gathering and conversation

project info:

name: Estudio-Casa

author: Isern Serra | @isernserra

location: Poble Nou, Barcelona, Spain

art direction, team leader: Aasheen Mittal
design team: Aasheen Mittal, Aran Escudero, Cris Marhuenda, Adri Cela

completion: 2024

photography: © Salva López | @salvalopez

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Architecture and design studio TAKK, led by Mireia Luzárraga and Alejandro Muiño, presents Roma’s bedroom, a project that transforms leftover materials into a climate-responsive living space for a six-year-old girl in Barcelona. Located within a 400-square-meter former industrial facility, the project is part of a broader adaptive reuse effort to create a sustainable home. The design tackles the challenge of climate control by introducing rooms tailored to seasonal changes, reducing economic and ecological costs while maximizing energy efficiency.

The architects reused materials salvaged from previous office projects. Structural elements such as concrete blocks, recycled cotton insulation, drywall sheets, and natural wool converge to form a playful and vibrant environment, tailored to Roma’s age and imagination. These materials emphasize functionality over aesthetics while maintaining an inviting ambiance.

images courtesy of TAKK

Roma’s bedroom adapts to the change of seasons

Barcelona-based TAKK conceives Roma’s bedroom as a dual-purpose space, offering two modes of use. For winter, an enclosed, insulated interior provides warmth and comfort, while the summer configuration shifts to an airy, gabled-roof exterior. The room sits atop a wheeled substructure, enabling its repositioning within the expansive industrial setting, further enhancing its versatility.

This project challenges conventional housing norms by aligning spatial arrangements with environmental considerations. Roma’s bedroom takes a close look into adaptive reuse and proposes a bold rethinking of modernist housing design in the face of the climate crisis, paving the way for more liberated, pleasurable, and sustainable living environments.

Roma’s bedroom transforms leftover materials into a climate-responsive living space for a six-year-old girl

located within a 400-square-meter former industrial facility

the project is part of a broader adaptive reuse effort to create a sustainable home

the design tackles the challenge of climate control by introducing rooms tailored to seasonal changes

the architects reused materials salvaged from previous office projects

reducing economic and ecological costs while maximizing energy efficiency

concrete blocks, drywall sheets, and natural wool converge to form the environment

this project challenges conventional housing norms 

Roma’s bedroom takes a close look into adaptive reuse

the project introduces rooms tailored to seasonal changes

project info:

name: Roma’s Bedroom

architects: TAKK | @we_are_takk
location: Barcelona, Spain

lead designers: Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño

collaborators: Roger Monfort, Berta Ribaudí

photographer: José Hevia 

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HVYLYA Design completes the interior for GxBar, the newest location of a Ukrainian beauty salon brand in Barcelona. The 98-square-meter space reflects the Mediterranean charm of its surroundings while staying true to the aesthetic of the branding. The design draws on the historic sandy facades of Barcelona, soft textures, and vibrant hues, mixing warm beige tones with rich blue accents and metallic details. 

The design team divides the space into functional zones, catering to a variety of beauty treatments. The front-facing area, visible from the street, is dynamic and open, featuring a reception desk, manicure stations, makeup counters, and hairstyling zones. For client privacy, the display windows are partially screened, offering a glimpse into the beauty salon interior. 

images courtesy of HVYLYA Design

bespoke furnishings anchor GxBar beauty salon

Bespoke furnishings and decorative elements highlight Kyiv-based HVYLYA Design’s attention to detail. The Oito mirror by industrial designer Vania Voitovych and Sled chairs by architect Vlad Tolochko, crafted by the 4 Corners furniture factory, complete the makeup area. Toward the rear, private areas are dedicated to pedicures, facials, and relaxation, including a soundproof skincare room that adopts a subdued palette and tactile finishes. The pedicure zone of the GxBar features recliner chairs for maximum comfort, creating an experience reminiscent of a cozy home theater. Walls and ceilings are finished with warm, sandy-toned decorative plaster, which contrasts with deep blue accents, while muted tones in other areas ensure spatial flow.

HVYLYA Design completes the interior for GxBar beauty salon in Barcelona

the 98-square-meter space reflects the Mediterranean charm of its surroundings

the design draws on the historic sandy facades of Barcelona

soft textures and vibrant hues mix with warm beige tones, rich blue accents, and metallic details

the design team divides the space into functional zones

the front-facing area, visible from the street, is dynamic and open

catering to a variety of beauty treatments

bespoke furnishings and decorative elements highlight HVYLYA Design’s attention to detail

private areas are dedicated to pedicures, facials, and relaxation

project info:

name: GxBar Barcelona | @g.bar.bcn
designer: HVYLYA design | @hvylya.design
location: Barcelona, Spain

area: 98 square meters (1055 square feet)

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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Isern Serra has designed Origo, a new café in Barcelona, emphasizing simplicity, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Located in the vibrant Sant Antoni neighborhood, the café invites visitors to experience the artisanal process of bread-making in an immersive environment. Origo’s design highlights the craftsmanship and care behind every product it offers. The space is characterized by natural materials and handmade elements, creating a serene and honest atmosphere. A standout feature is a large sculptural bread display that serves as the heart of the space, showcasing freshly baked goods while offering a direct connection to the production process.

images © Salva López

isern serra’s Tribute to Tradition

Founded in 2018 by François de Halleux, Origo was conceived in Barcelona as a return to the essence of bread-making, prioritizing traditional techniques and natural ingredients. The name ‘Origo,’ meaning ‘origin’ in Latin, reflects this mission to offer wholesome, nutritious bread made with stone-milled flours, sourdough starters, and extended fermentation processes.

The project by Isern Serra and led by Aran Escudero is divided into two main areas — the workshop and the public store. Interiors are curated to celebrate transparency and authenticity. Visitors can enter through two street-level entrances: one leading to the retail space and another offering views into the workshop. The café’s elongated layout posed a design challenge that Isern Serra transformed into an opportunity by incorporating a long, architectural bread display bar as the central element. Adjacent to this is a café counter made from dyed iroko wood with a stainless steel top, illuminated by six stainless steel Frama lamps.

Isern Serra designs Barcelona’s Origo café with a focus on craftsmanship and simplicity

origo: a café curated with Thoughtful Details

Earth tones dominate the café’s interior, with walls finished in manually applied ecoclay, adding texture and depth. At the rear, an agora-like space allows visitors to sample the products. This area features a high micro-cement bar with Frama stools and a large communal table overlooking the workshop through expansive windows. The design ensures that customers feel connected to the baking process, with bakers visible at work in a monochromatic terracotta-toned workshop outfitted with stainless steel ovens and mixers. Serax sconces and geometric concrete lights enhance the ambiance.

Origo’s terracotta theme extends to its exterior, where visitors encounter a small outdoor seating area featuring terracotta tile flooring, a matching bench, and textured walls. The warm, earthy palette ties the indoor and outdoor spaces together, creating a cohesive design language.

the space features natural materials and handmade elements to create a serene atmosphere

a sculptural bread display serves as the central element showcasing freshly baked goods

Origo emphasizes traditional bread-making with stone-milled flours and sourdough starters

the café is divided into a public store and a workshop with views of the production process

earthy tones and manually applied ‘ecoclay’ walls add texture and warmth to the interior

visitors can enjoy products in a communal space while observing bakers at work

project info:

name: Origo Café

interior design: Isern Serra | @isernserra

location: Barcelona, Spain

team leader: Aran Escudero
carpentry: Fusteria J. Vidal

graphics: Hey

photography art direction: Aasheen Mittal

photography: © Salva López | @salvalopez

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