Living Metamorphosis: Robust Transformational Architecture In Barcelona | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing

Site Context

The Location: Barcelona’s unique blend of traditional and contemporary architecture leads the way in merging resilient, low-tech construction methods with passive climate design strategies tailored to the Mediterranean climate. This synergy is expected to become increasingly relevant in Germany as the impacts of climate change intensify. The Living Metamorphosis serves as a future-proof prototype—a flexible, adaptable dwelling designed to respond to seasonal weather variations.

Located at the convergence of the El Raval, Sant Antoni, and El Poble Sec districts, the building occupies a sharp corner of a block sliced diagonally. This location is continually influenced by the land-sea breeze system, with winds funneled through Avenida del Paralelo, a direct route to the harbor.

Final Outcome

Living Spaces as a Threshold: The building comprises 48 apartments distributed across six floors, designed around an open-plan living concept that blurs the boundary between urban space with a climate-regulating patio. The kitchen connects directly to a compact entrance area, encouraging interaction among residents within the triangular patio. Every apartment faces this courtyard and benefits from its natural ventilation system, driven by the chimney effect.

Functions: The Living Metamorphosis changes its behavior with the seasons—an adaptability that is visually apparent. Residents actively participate in its passive climate regulation. During hot days, the building opens up toward the city, extending its blinds to shade its thick façade from the sun. Interior spaces retain the coolness of the night through thermal mass, maintaining comfort until later in the day. When temperatures rise too much, warm and stale air is drawn upward and expelled through the chimney-like courtyard.

In winter, the building effectively “hibernates,” sealing itself and conserving heat. Its ceilings and outer façade absorb solar energy during the day and release stored warmth into the interior overnight.

How Does the Living Metamorphosis Function in Barcelona?

Each living and private room is designed for optimal cross-ventilation, allowing stale air to be drawn out via the central chimney. Windows and doors are located on opposing sides, and the depth of the longest room is limited to no more than two and a half times its height—ensuring efficient airflow and natural ventilation.

The structure of Living Metamorphosis is built for thermal resilience. Its robust design includes an 80 cm thick masonry envelope and a 60 cm thick vaulted ceiling, which help moderate indoor temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat or coolness over time.

To enhance the cooling effect, the fireplace on the lower three floors has a direct opening to the coolest area of the house—a shaded backyard located on the north-facing side.

Only essential building services are installed to maximize reliability and minimize complexity. This simplicity makes the home user-friendly and easy to manage. Residents can make seasonal adjustments themselves, maintaining full control over the indoor climate.

The building’s adaptive functions are intuitive, enabling all residents to participate equally in operating and maintaining the system. Interior spaces are designed with longevity and reparability in mind, and natural, non-toxic materials are used—materials that can be separated and recycled—creating a healthy and sustainable living environment.

Conclusion: The project serves as a future-proof model for climate-responsive architecture in urban Mediterranean settings. Through its passive design strategies, durable construction, and user-centered adaptability, it bridges tradition and innovation, empowering residents to manage seasonal changes naturally and intuitively.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]