Before & After: Terraza Shadow

Located in a penthouse built in the early twentieth century, with direct access to the roof of a corner building in the Eixample district of Barcelona, we find the Shadow terrace. A recently restored outdoor space, in which we were asked to create a swimming pool, a living/dining room and a kitchen with barbecue.

A recently restored outdoor space, in which we were asked to create a swimming pool, a living/dining room and a kitchen with barbecue.

For the swimming pool, first of all we studied its location. Being a terrace in a penthouse, its location had to be in the area with the greatest structural reinforcement, so that the pool could support the weight of the water without any problem. The slopes of the terrace were also adapted, an essential intervention to improve rainwater drainage.

Built with galvanized steel, the overflow pool on the Shadow terrace is also heated, so that it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. This bathing area is accessed by a raised platform with three steps, making it a transitional and safety element for the owners.

At the same time, the metal railing that delimits the area protects from possible falls and enhances the visual aesthetics of the pool.

Using large format porcelain tiles and marine plywood materials, a spectacular outdoor kitchen was created. A functional and practical dining area in which certain elements were added: a refrigerator, a kit of bins for garbage and several drawers for storage.

The lighting chosen for the Shadow terrace brings together different elements. All of them, vital accessories that reinforce the feeling of comfort even at night. For this reason, we find some floor lamps and other spotlights fixed on the wall, which illuminate and focus the most important elements of the terrace. In the outdoor kitchen there are also various luminaires, which make it easier to see during cooking.

Finally, the chosen systems of concealment and shading are also part of the highlights in the reform of this terrace in the Eixample district of Barcelona. By placing a pool on the terrace of a penthouse, it was essential to choose a bioclimatized roof, with three roll-up awnings, to make the most of the dining and bathing area.