Architecture studio Vora has created an interplay of old and new inside these five Barcelona apartments, by arranging walls to highlight the original patterned tile floors.
Set inside a grey, austere residential building called Vallirana 47, the apartments have been overhauled by locally-based studio Vora to blend old and new elements.

"We worked with the identity of the building in a way that is both continuous and disruptive, with a respectful and at the same time playful attitude," said the studio.
"Many materials and elements of the building were reused, which maintain its atmospheric continuity."

Instead of carrying out major structural alterations to the apartments, the studio opted to largely follow the original room layout, which could be discerned by the use of different patterned tiles on the floor. New partition walls have been erected in accordance with some boundaries established by the tiles, while in other areas different patterned floors expose the original arrangements. Partitions have also been made to stop slightly short of the ceiling cornices to draw more attention to the apartments' former configurations.

Surrounding walls and the ceiling have been painted white so as to not distract from the ornate tile work. White cabinetry has also been used for the kitchen suites, where new patterned tiles have been laid in alternating directions to form a graphic splashback.

A handful of cupboards have been subtly embossed with repetitive s...