The renovation of Casa Prada in Barcelona: brightening up a dark apartment

To breathe life into this poorly lit flat, Atelier Parasie's design focuses on two key elements: maximising space and using a clever colour palette.

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Floor plan

Design firm: Atelier Parasie
Project name: Prada House
Location: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona
Dimensions: 127 square meters

Located in one of Barcelona's most sought-after residential neighbourhoods, Atelier Parasie's renovation project for Casa Prada addresses a common issue for urban apartments: dimly lit, highly compartmentalised interiors. Light, therefore, guided the studio's design choices along two main lines: opening up the space and treating surfaces. The first step was to open up the kitchen to the living room, which has typical Catalan vaulted ceilings, to allow natural light to spread freely. The communal chimney has also been integrated into the new layout with a bespoke solution. Alongside the spatial reorganization, the project uses colour as an architectural tool. The calibrated, “fresh” palette of the living area gradually darkens in the service areas, giving way to lighter colours in the sleeping area. This is achieved without interrupting the visual continuity of the home. 

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Photo Charlotte Lajarín

Atelier Parasie, Casa Prada, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona Floor plan