Nine Unique and Architectural Apartments in Spain
Living in Spain’s bustling cities can often mean adapting to smaller, more compact spaces. The architects behind these innovative homes, however, have turned the challenge of small living into an art form. From Madrid to Seville, the following apartments showcase how design ingenuity can transform limited space into functional, stylish, and beautiful homes. We’re taking a look at nine remarkable apartments across Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville that have appeared on Never Too Small – each demonstrating unique architectural styles that blend modernism with local cultural influences.
Madrid: Bold and Creative Adaptations
Madrid, Spain's vibrant capital, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and buzzing cultural scene. The city has a knack for blending the old with the new, a theme reflected in its small-space apartments.
Casa Gialla – In one of Madrid’s busiest squares, Gonzalo Pardo and the team at gon architects revitalised a one-bedroom apartment originally built in 1910 for a young Italian woman and her partner. Their design draws inspiration from 1960s Italian homes and features a floor-to-ceiling yellow joinery unit along one wall that serves as storage, an office, and a semi open-concept door and window into the bedroom area. The not-to-be-missed feature of this design is the outdoor shower and tub on the terrace – making the most of Madrid’s warm weather. Watch Casa Gialla.
House for Cosimo Piovasco – Architect Mariana de Delás’s apartment in the historic Rastro neighborhood is a perfect blend of creativity and community spirit. The eclectic, colourful space is truly unique with its many plants, books, and personal trinkets serving as the decor. The home’s standout feature is the open loft with a small office area that leads to a very cosy, cave-like bedroom tucked within the sloped attic roof. Watch House for Cosimo Piovasco.
Three Balcony House – Tra.ma founders Patricia Carrasco and Ricardo Mancho’s 55 square metre apartment in the Barrio de las Letras neighbourhood of Madrid dates back to the 1860s. In a typical corrala style, wherein housing units are arranged around a communal courtyard, the apartment has three side-by-side balconies that face to the street. Their vibrant design maximises natural light while keeping the interior calm and adaptable enough for the couple's dynamic lifestyle. Watch Three Balcony House.
casa flix – A 42 square metre attic apartment located in the heart of Madrid, casa flix brings a touch of Wes Anderson’s signature color palette to life. Designed by Gonzalo Pardo and gon architects, the space is a playful yet functional design, where different hues help to define “different kinds of ambiances and zones inside such a small space”, according to Pardo. Watch casa flix.
Barcelona: Where Modernism Meets Contemporary Living
Barcelona is renowned for its modernist architecture, from the famous works of Antoni Gaudí to its vibrant neighborhoods. In the city's compact living spaces, architecture plays a crucial role in preserving its heritage while embracing modern lifestyles.
Borrell – Architect and owner Carlota Siverio transformed a 1870s building into a contemporary home for her and her wife. Originally twice the size it is today, the apartment was divided into two smaller 60 square metre units in 2005 and marries the charm of Barcelona’s modernist past with a fresh, modern twist. One of Siverio’s main inspirations for the apartment was to celebrate the “essence of Barcelona’s modernist architecture from the 19th century”, so the design is a shining example of how both can coexist harmoniously in an inviting, contemporary home. Watch Borrell.
Villa Montserrat – Located in the peaceful Tres Torres neighborhood of Barcelona, Diana Martin and Max Enrich’s 45 square metre apartment is one of six small houses within a 19th-century villa. The space is defined by its artful touches, hybrid zones, and clever space-saving tricks such as the kitchen countertop “extension” behind the sofa, which can collapse down when not in use to free up space. Watch Villa Montserrat.
EG112 Simple Dwelling – Architect Jacobo Valentí of Casavells Estudio's apartment in the Eixample district – a neighbourhood designed to connect the ancient heart of the city with the suburbs – is a celebration of mid-century design. At 34 square metres, the home is filled with original mid-century furniture Valentí collected and cleverly adapted IKEA pieces, demonstrating how compact living can still be full of character and style. Watch EG112 Simple Dwelling.
Seville: Traditional Charm Meets Contemporary Design
Seville, the heart of Andalusia, is known for its flamenco culture, Moorish architecture, and vibrant colors. Small-space living in this historic city is about blending traditional influences with modern, minimalist design to create functional, beautiful homes.
Casa Triana – In the colourful Triana district, architects Antonio Mora and Eduardo Tazon of Studio Noju were inspired by the architectural character of the district when reimaging this 58 square metre apartment. They added texture and depth to the space as they divided it into a series of independent spaces by using a stunning collection of monochrome colours and decorative cumbreras (aluminum roof ridge panels). Watch Casa Triana.
The Furniture House – Javier Salvador and Yago García of HEIMAT studio designed a 55 square metre apartment for a couple who love to travel. The apartment, located in a 1970s Sevillian building, uses a continuous birch unit as a backdrop to their eclectic collection of furniture and personal items, creating a space that feels as dynamic and ever-changing as its inhabitants. Watch The Furniture House.
Small Living in Madrid
The creative use of space in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville highlights how architectural innovation can make even the smallest apartment feel spacious and personalised. Whether through bold color choices, the clever use of natural light, or the integration of modernist principles with local traditions, each apartment offers a unique solution to the challenge of small-space living. These homes prove that with thoughtful design, even the smallest spaces can be transformed into places of beauty and function.
