Enjoying one of the best panoramic views of the city of Barcelona is just one of the many privileges enjoyed by the exclusive residents of Francesc Macià number 10. In this emblematic and busy square of the city stands the building that for more than three decades housed the offices of the Winthertur insurance company in the Catalan capital and which today has become a luxury estate where the price per square meter exceeds 16,000 euros.
The building, designed in 1969 by the Swiss architect Marc-Joseph Saugey, follows the Bauhaus style and opens unusually onto the square from a glass facade drawing a concave line that contrasts with the rest of the contiguous constructions that follow the curvature of the square. The particular elliptical shape of the floor plan becomes a reference and a very present motif throughout the rehabilitation project carried out under the direction of the investment group Squircle Capital and developed by Squircle Properties.
The residential complex has seven homes of 600 square meters, each of which occupies an entire floor, and a duplex penthouse that crowns a development that stands on a commercial area of 3,000 square meters and four underground floors. The prestigious Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, together with his team from Studio MK27, has been in charge of equipping and giving a unique identity to a project that, while remaining a benchmark for the city, goes a step further in luxury homes to provide a vital experience in itself. "We started the design phase in 2013 and opted for Kogan's team. Marcio's approach was to break with the existing and for that he opened the building to the square and used materials such as aluminum, brass and the already present cement. For the residential part, the appearance was maintained, but completely changing the features in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation, providing great hermeticity," comments Gonzalo Álvarez, Development Director of Squircle Properties.
Designer creations
Up to the moment of the commission, Marcio Kogan was focused on residential architecture of detached houses and this was his first high-rise block project. "Kogan fell in love with the building when he saw the panoramic views generated in the homes, which enjoy a marked horizontality given that they do not have great free heights. We loved how quickly he assumed the geometry of the building and how he managed to solve the free ellipse of the floor plan when designing the apartment. He nailed it," explains Gonzalo Álvarez during a visit that The New Barcelona Post made to one of the apartments.
Kogan was in charge of the architectural part of all common areas and the pilot apartment on the 3rd floor where the large floor-to-ceiling windows establish a strong dialogue between interior and exterior. From there, the collaboration of other professionals was sought to integrate into the project. This was the case of the Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen who contributed his talent to the interior design of some of the residences and the Italian architect and sculptor Vincenzo de Cotiis, who was in charge of the furniture for the common areas of the building. Along with them, the work of the designer of the moment, Michael Anastassiades, also stands out, who designed custom-made luminaires for some common areas such as the reception and for the dining room of the FM10 pilot home.
Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan fell in love with the building when he saw the panoramic views generated in the homesThroughout the project, three materials stand out as a unifying link between the different spaces. These are Roman basaltina stone, American walnut wood, and brass. Based on them, the project is articulated, acquiring an elegant, calm, and timeless appearance. Everything tries to have a calm character where every detail is thought out and the materials are millimeter-adjusted to the space to respect continuity and formal purity at all times.
The value of sustainability
Within the design process, a major line of action based on sustainability and energy efficiency was proposed. And not only that, as it sought to go beyond existing regulations, becoming the first residential building in Spain to achieve BREEAM certification, which promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly construction. Among the measures adopted in this regard is the use of renewable energies to cover 71.8% of the total hot water needs. "The building does not lose thermal load through the facade thanks to its thermal system in which the glass has an intrinsic solar control layer. In addition, it has a centralized hot water supply mechanism for heating that, together with aerothermal energy, maximizes the sustainability of the property," reveals the development director. LED lighting inside and outside the property, as well as mechanical and sustainable management systems, allow controlling and monitoring environmental efficiency. The detached building is conceived as an island that, in turn, has its own particular Eden, thanks to a 500 square meter garden area that acts as a green lung within the complex.
Currently, the owners, mostly consolidated Catalan entrepreneurs, have two pedestrian accesses, one from Diagonal and another from Urgell, to which is added a vehicular access that leads to the two levels of underground parking that the property has. Each home has six parking spaces with electric charging points installed. Above this level is a meeting area for receiving visitors and a private cellar. On the upper floors are the gym and fitness center, provided with skylights that provide natural light to the interior, and a spectacular 20-meter pool.
Currently, the owners of the homes are, for the most part, consolidated Catalan entrepreneursIn total, the residential area has 15,000 square meters, of which two-thirds are dedicated to common areas and the rest to homes. "It is about a building that provides the same services as a five-star hotel, with maximum security and 24-hour concierge service," says David Rolt, sales director of Francesc Macià 10. Of the seven homes that FM10 currently has, only two units are available. The penthouse, with a total of 950 square meters and 300 square meters of terrace, is expected to go on sale in a future phase and invite, once again, to be carried away by dreamlike panoramic views.