The SIGLA Studio Barcelona apartment rethinks the traditional separation of domestic spaces by organizing its 635-square-foot interior around a compact central core containing the kitchen, bathroom and dressing area. Designed for a client relocating to Barcelona, the layout replaces a series of enclosed rooms with a continuous living environment that encourages natural light and ventilation to circulate through framed openings and reflective surfaces. The central volume links the private sleeping area with the living space overlooking the façade while maintaining an adaptable floor plan.
A freestanding bathtub becomes the apartment's defining feature, occupying an open bathroom connected directly to the living area beneath a large arched opening. A motorized pivoting glass enclosure provides privacy when needed, while the bathroom remains visually integrated into the home during everyday use. Material selections distinguish each function through aluminum-clad plywood in the kitchen, glossy forest-green Cerámica Ferrés tiles in the bathroom and walnut wood in the dressing area, all set within a continuous mineral finish that wraps the floors, walls and ceilings.
Image Credit: Marta Vidal
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Open Bathroom Living
- Residential layouts are increasingly blending bathing areas with social zones, creating opportunities for privacy-responsive fixtures, moisture-safe furnishings and hospitality-inspired home experiences.
- Central Utility Cores
- Compact service hubs that combine kitchen, bathroom and storage functions support flexible micro-apartment designs with improved circulation, daylight access and renovation efficiency.
- Adaptive Glass Privacy
- Motorized and pivoting transparent partitions introduce a new layer of spatial control, enabling small homes to shift between openness, intimacy and functional separation.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Interior Design
- Design studios can explore integrated room concepts that challenge conventional floor plans while using materials and thresholds to define function without permanent walls.
- Smart Home Technology
- Connected privacy systems, automated glass panels and sensor-based ventilation solutions fit emerging demand for apartments that transform in response to daily routines.
- Building Materials
- Water-resistant surfaces, reflective finishes and modular cladding systems gain relevance as bathrooms and kitchens become more visible, central elements of residential interiors.
