Inside a minimalist live/work refuge on the Catalonian coast of Spain

By One Kindesign December 6, 2021

1 comment

Studio Sitges-Olson Kundig Architects-00-1 Kindesign

This live/work minimalist refuge was designed for a photographer and his family by Olson Kundig Architects, located in Sitges a coastal town in the Catalonia region of Spain. Ideally positioned just blocks from the Mediterranean Sea, the structure manages to capture the essence of this cosmopolitan beach town, just thirty minutes outside of Barcelona.

The architectural style of the building is not what you would typically see in the region. Instead of a Tuscan style home like one architect proposed, the photographer instead opted for a more minimalist design.

According to the architects description, “a custom-designed wall and gate of rough concrete and weathered steel pushes the boundaries of the design out to the street. The gate rolls away to reveal a garage and a steeply sloping driveway leading down to the studios. Large panels of COR-TEN steel arch from the ground over the facade to form part of the roof; the entrance to the house is via a tall steel pivot door, inset with a pilot door.”

When you first set your sights on this striking two-story structure, you might think it was factory designed. However, the design was skillfully engineered by the architects, with the help of skilled craftsman. The dwelling is comprised of concrete boxes, punctuated with panels of glass and Cor-Ten steel. Industrial materials have been roughed up by hand, lending a more weathered aesthetic.

What We Love: This minimalist refuge in Spain offers plenty of incredible features, such as the wall that swings open to the outdoors in the living room. This indoor-outdoor connection takes a minimalist home and opens it up to nature in a very impressive way. With handmade fixtures and finishes throughout the home, we see yet another work of art by Kundig Architects.

TELL US: What are your thoughts, does this live/work space appeal to you? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look for the “Related” links in this article to see more amazing home tours from Olson Kundig Architects.

An impressive feature in the living room is the handmade sconces, installed high above the double volume space. They were designed on a sheet metal shaper by a sculptor of Harley Davidson fenders and gas tanks. They were given a blackened finish, which was a labor of love—adding a unique aesthetic to the space! A floor-to-ceiling double-sided hearth separates the living room from the dining room. Expansive factory windows adds an industrial feel to the space and brings in plenty of natural light.

A reclaimed teak table in the dining room, as well as in the living room and kitchen adds a touch of rusticity to the main level.

On the upstairs level, vintage white-oak floors help to soften the four bedrooms.

RELATED: Tropical Ocean House in Hawaii

The photography studio is hidden underground, accessible from the main floor via a spiral staircase as well as a glass elevator. The double volume space that offers adjoining offices, storage as well as additional living quarters. When the photographer needs to work, he can separate himself from the rest of the house and have complete privacy.