LIGHT, FLOW, AND THE LANGUAGE OF CRAFT
“ One of the most powerful tools in reworking these spaces is light,” notes Michele Rhoda.
Designers avoid placing heavy furniture near windows and focus instead on opening the orientation of the apartment to its best views. Sightlines are extended through carefully placed joinery, concealed lighting, and feature shelving at the back of rooms to create a sense of depth. These focal points not only draw the eye, but visually expand the apartment, making even narrow layouts feel generous.
Ceilings are kept clean to heighten volume and make space for statement flooring below, and this might include marble inlays, layered textures, or patterned rugs that visually ground the room. Working with existing window placements, rather than against them, ensures that natural light maintains its rhythm and harmony with the original proportions of the architecture.
“ But the evolution is not only structural,” notes Ms. Rhoda.
A renewed emphasis on craftsmanship is taking hold across Europe, echoing the design sensibilities of artists rooted in places like South Africa. In an age of mass production and digitalization, there is growing desire for tactile pieces that feel meaningful and reflect personality.
DESIGNING WITH PURPOSE
The process of reimagining these apartments begins long before plans are drawn, and understanding the emotional and lifestyle needs of the client is central to the design journey.
“ Through detailed questionnaires and one on one conversations, the team builds a holistic picture of how the client wants to live, entertain, and recharge,” explains Michele Rhoda.
Outdoor spaces, when available, are treated with reverence. Whether it is a hidden courtyard, a narrow balcony, or a rooftop with a view, these natural extensions of the home are framed thoughtfully, allowing even compact apartments to feel expansive, where maximizing views becomes the priority.
Renovating within Europe’ s heritage buildings brings unique challenges. There are often strict preservation guidelines, and not all features can be altered or removed. But within these boundaries lies a creative opportunity to innovate in ways that respect the past, while gently modernizing the experience of space.
This sensitive balance is embodied in the work of ARRCC, a Cape Town based design studio known for its philosophy of curated elegance and a culturally rich design language. ARRCC brings an art focused, bespoke sensibility to every European project, merging contemporary needs with
TECHNICAL SHEET
Project name: Barcelona Apartment Project Location: Barcelona, Spain Interior Architects & Designers: ARRCC Project Team: Mark Rielly & Jon Case Project Photographer: Lorenzo Vecchia
architectural memory. Whether in the heart of Paris or overlooking the Riviera in Monaco, the studio’ s work reflects a refined understanding of how history and innovation can coexist.
www. arrcc. com