sheep barn in spain transforms into family home preserving original brick-clad arches

the renovation of Can Gori retains Catalan farmhouse typology

Can Gori, a project by Paola Bagna & Jonas Labbe, transforms a former sheep and hay barn in Catalonia into a family home. The design adheres to the original materiality and construction elements, achieving a rhythm in its spaces with secluded rooms reminiscent of Catalan farmhouses and more expansive areas.

The barn, dating back to 1930, is carefully renovated while preserving its unique features, including a semicircular south facade with large openings and a wooden doorway for agricultural machinery. Following the client’s vision, the layout creates a light-filled, open plan with loft-like proportions. To enhance natural light and ventilation, an entrance patio is introduced, symbolically recovering the space once used for machinery. The original south facade is of handmade brick while the north facade composes a thick stone wall. A single-pitched tile roof tops the structure.

Handmade Brick, Stone, and Reused Tiles Meet Modern Elements

The outdoor area connects visually and spatially with the living room and multi-purpose space on the ground floor. The two-story layout organizes common family spaces and a multi-purpose work area on the ground floor, while bedrooms are situated on the first floor, opening onto the patio and the original semicircular facade. The stone wall of the north facade is thermally insulated, preserving its original materiality, and a double-height space in the kitchen-dining area emphasizes the unique semicircular geometry.

The design team reintroduces the typology of these geometric arches within the interior spaces. The feature is present in new interior openings and partitions in the form of a quarter of a circle which incorporates a new structural pillar. Original materials, such as handmade brick, stone, and reused tiles, are juxtaposed with new materials like ceramic tiles, oak, white lacquered metal, and poplar wood, creating a modern space that honors the building’s history. The project boasts an interplay of materials, geometries, light, textures, and a harmonious blend of past and present, resulting in a comfortable home deeply connected to its surroundings and the heritage of the Catalan farmhouse.

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project info:

name: Can Gori
architect: Paola Bagna Architect | @paola_bagna

lead architects: Paola Bagna & Jonas Labbe

location: Peralada, Alt Emporda, Spain

photography: Arnau Rovira | @arnauroviravidal

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