Olivia Balmes Hotel

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

Olivia Balmes Hotel 

Álex Ibáñez Walter, Sara Galmán Gracia

ARCHITECTS
Sara Galmán Gracia, Álex Ibáñez Walter

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Natalia Cambello

ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING
Axioma

INTERIORS
Gca Arquitectos Asociados

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Álex Ibáñez Walter, Sara Galmán Gracia

INSTALLATION
Aj Ingeniería, Climava

EXECUTION CONTROL
José Luís Ibáñez Gambero, Antonio Gómez Casado

STRUCTURE
Malla Arquitectura

PHOTOGRAPHS
Enrique Armisén

AREA
9437 M²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Barcelona, Spain

CATEGORY
Hospitality Architecture, Hotels

Text description provided by architect.

Olivia Balmes is a high-end hotel containing lounges, a bar, restaurant, open-air swimming pool and 128 rooms.

It is located in the centre of the Eixample on the northern corner of a typical city block.

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

Designing a new building to fit in a classical Eixample block is always a challenge.

Due to the uniqueness of the location, we decided to employ an architectural solution using elements reminiscent of the sillares, and maintain the classic symmetric balcony structure, but with a more up to date aesthetic.

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

ARCHITECTURE

The façade of the hotel features etched glass slats and aluminium panelling of high thermal and acoustic performance, giving the building its distinctive image.

The ground floor is mostly open plan; its large windows engaging passersby with the common areas of the hotel. The hotel entrance connects the three floors of communal areas through double spaces, opening them up visually and letting in natural light.

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

The rear elevation of the hotel, facing inside the city block, is less complicated, employing simple lines and materials.

There is a terrace on the ground floor and a sunken courtyard in the basement. On the roof of the building is an outdoor pool and public terrace with views of the city.

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

The floor layout consists of a central communicating hub around which the rooms are arranged.

The rooms have a common open layout, where the bathroom is a continuation of the living area, separable with a sliding etched glass screen.

All rooms have large windows providing unique views, allowing guests to become spectators of the life and movement of the city center.

Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén

The interior furnishings are designed with simple lines in natural materials (wood, Corian solid surface, iron), providing the touch of luxury and style characteristic of the Olivia Hotels chain.


Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén
Olivia Balmes Hotel
© Enrique Armisén


Olivia Balmes Hotel
North Elevation
Olivia Balmes Hotel
South Elevation
Olivia Balmes Hotel
Detail Elevation
Olivia Balmes Hotel
Section


Olivia Balmes Hotel
Type Floor Plan
Olivia Balmes Hotel
Lower Floor Plan
Olivia Balmes Hotel
Ground Floor Plan
Olivia Balmes Hotel
First Floor Plan
Olivia Balmes Hotel
Roof Floor Plan