Rehabilitation of Old Houses and Historic Dwellings in Barcelona

Rehabilitation and Renovation of Old Houses

We transform residential projects by merging historical elements with contemporary innovation

We take care of the entire rehabilitation process for your old house

Restoration of heritage elements

Restoration of original woodwork and doors

Management of licenses required for the rehabilitation

Furniture restoration

Construction management

Close collaboration with contractors specialized in heritage rehabilitation

What is our process for the rehabilitation of old or historic houses?

We carry out a comprehensive process that begins with an initial interview to understand your needs and define the overall concept of the project. We assess the characteristics of the property, develop the design with detailed proposals, and assist you with financial management, procedures, and licenses. Finally, we oversee the construction to ensure quality execution, compliance with regulations, and an optimal outcome.

Why Nomadas Architecture

We combine nearly a decade of international experience with in-depth knowledge of the Spanish sector, providing seamless communication in English with international clients. Each project is handled with a personalized approach, managing all phases through an integrated process with a trusted team of professionals. Our designs stand out for their added value, creativity, and attention to detail, preserving original elements whenever possible to bring character and uniqueness to the space.

Marta Catalán, your architect in Barcelona

Marta is a Phd. Architect by the University of Hong Kong. Previously, she studied in Madrid and Japan where she obtained her Masters.

Marta began her career co-founding the architectural collective Zira02. She has developed her architecture practice in Spain, Hong Kong and Japan. She has worked and collaborated with several architecture firms including Andres Jaque Office for Political Innovation, Abe Hitoshi Atelier and Izaskun Chinchilla Architects. Her projects have been awarded with the Europan, IDOM and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Design for Innovation prizes.

Laia Martínez Sitjà, your architect in Barcelona

Architect graduated from UPC BarcelonaTech, where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Architecture, and from the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest. She has developed her education and professional practice in an international context, working across Spain, China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Laia has built her professional career in renowned architecture studios such as Neri&Hu Design and Research Office and Bean Buro, contributing to architecture and interior design projects in sectors including residential, office, hospitality, and retail spaces. She currently practices as an architect in Barcelona, focusing her work on architectural design, refurbishment, and interior design projects.

We carry out renovations of old houses in Barcelona and the surrounding areas

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Some of Our Historical Dwellings Rehabilitation Projects

BADALONA

Interior renovation of a former glassblowing workshop in Barcelona, transformed into a bright, contemporary home while preserving its original industrial character. The project combines modern design with the restoration of historical materials and details, emphasizing natural light and continuity between interior and exterior spaces.

SANTS

Interior renovation of a flat in Barcelona´s downtown for a foreign family. The flat dates back to the early 19th. century and keeps some of its original features such as stone walls, catalan vaults, cast iron pillars and iron windows.

Badalona

2024

GARDEN FLAT

Interior renovation of a historic apartment in central Barcelona, combining the recovery of 19th-century original elements with a contemporary industrial style. The project enhances natural light and the connection to an interior garden, integrating recycled materials and design solutions that balance functionality with historical character.

What Our Clients Say

Nomadas Architecture place picture
5.0
Based on 9 reviews
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Marta accompanied me on all my viewings for a potential apartment until I found the perfect one. Marta is very professional and has extensive market knowledge, which allowed me to get quick and clear answers to my questions.
Basanta K. Rai profile picture
Basanta K. Rai
16:44 09 Dec 24
Excelent work done with the limited budget destined to our small project of renovation. Immense source of ideas she has. Very professional architect and very much recomendable to get your ideas to be tranformed into reality. Thank you Marta and Nomadas Architecture.
Marc Mercade profile picture
Marc Mercade
12:12 09 Sep 24
Marta helped me renovating my apartment in Barcelona and she is professional and full of nice ideas.
Nick O'Brien profile picture
Nick O'Brien
16:14 03 Sep 24
Marta was the architect and project manager on our bajo redevelopment. Her work was incredibly thorough and her management exceeded our expectations. Would recommend!!
Zainab Hess profile picture
Zainab Hess
09:00 19 Jun 24
We had the pleasure of working with Marta Catalan on our home renovation project between 2022 and 2024 in the old town of Barcelona,and we cannot recommend her highly enough. Marta made the impossible possible, transforming a disastrous property into a spectacular home. Throughout the design and building process,Marta led us with the utmost professionalism. She communicated every aspect that an owner wants to get addressed and was always on site when needed, coordinating with builders,carpenters, electricians,tilers,plumbers,locksmiths and other professionals.Her detailed knowledge of all these disciplines,combined with her excellent taste and style,guided us in choosing the right materials and furniture. Marta 's expertise extends beyond design and construction,she is also highly skilled in handling the necessary paperwork to obtain legal permissions,even in the most challenging situations. Her dedication went as far as searching archives and documents dating back more than a century to assist us with specific restorations and problems. There is no better architect in Barcelona,and perhaps not in all of spain,working with such enthusiasm and commitment to her clients. Marta Catalan is simply outstanding.

Folke Hess & Zaza Hess

June 19 ,2024
Carrer Nou de sant Francesc, Barcelona, España

Frequently asked questions

Renovation involves partial or comprehensive interventions in an existing building, primarily aimed at improving aesthetics, functionality, or spatial layout, without necessarily addressing structural pathologies. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, entails a comprehensive intervention in a building—typically old or heritage-protected—that addresses structural, constructive, or functional damage and incorporates compliance with current regulations on safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.

The duration of the rehabilitation process for an old house varies and depends mainly on the property’s state of conservation, its level of heritage protection, and the scope of the intervention.The renovation can vary depending on several factors, such as the speed of decision-making, the type of permit required and its processing time, as well as the size and scope of the project. Although every renovation is different, the professionals we work with usually have near-immediate availability, which helps streamline the process once everything is defined and approved.

We typically handle the full management of all required permits and licenses, including applications for major or minor building permits, heritage reports for listed buildings, and coordination with the City Council and relevant authorities, as well as the preparation of the technical project and administrative follow-up until the licenses are obtained.

During rehabilitation, we prioritize the preservation of original structural elements such as load-bearing walls and traditional floor systems, as well as façades and their exterior composition, carpentry, moldings and ornamental features, original flooring, and other distinctive elements such as staircases and patios.

We mainly work in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

Let’s talk about your project