"The truth of a design-driven project doesn't lie in the final finishes but in the precision of the hidden partitions and installations."
Executing a full renovation in Sarrià demands extraordinary technical and aesthetic rigour. The apartment — a late-1980s flat with an excessively compartmentalised layout — required a complete transformation. Our technical team carried out a full structural replanning and a deep renewal of all service systems.
1. Structural masonry and space redistribution
The first technical challenge was the controlled demolition of existing partitions. As the building has a reinforced concrete portal frame structure, a full load study was mandatory to certify the intervention's safety. After removing over 12 tonnes of demolition waste through selective sorting, we levelled the floors using a high-strength self-levelling screed to a flatness tolerance of ±1 mm, ready for the oversized engineered oak flooring.
2. Plumbing and invisible HVAC
The complete restructuring of the plumbing and drainage network was one of the most complex items on this Sarrià project. We replaced old corroded copper pipes with a thermally insulated PEX-Al-PEX multilayer distribution network. The drainage system was installed with three-layer soundproofed PVC, reducing flush noise to less than 15 dB in adjacent rooms.
3. High-performance acoustic plasterboard partitions
To achieve maximum soundproofing between bedrooms and living areas, we replaced traditional brick partitions with an advanced gypsum board (Pladur) system: double-board on each face over a 70 mm self-supporting metal frame with high-density basalt rock wool (40 kg/m³) inside. Perimeter coffer ceiling details house continuous indirect LED lighting.
4. Modular electrical installation and designer lighting
The electrical installation was designed to REBT low-voltage standards. We specified a main distribution board with independent circuits for high-draw appliances, HVAC, general lighting and zoned sockets. Flush matte anodised aluminium switches integrate seamlessly with the matte white editorial plaster walls. Smart lighting control scenes adapt to the time of day.
Conclusion
The final result in this upper-Barcelona apartment proves it is entirely possible to equip a home with the highest engineering performance without sacrificing spatial elegance. The project was completed in an audited 18 weeks, under a contract with a delay penalty clause. At Nosolo Design we are Barcelona's reference contractor for high-architecture projects. Discover our renovation services.