Mediterranean Living: MH.AP Crafts Ana & Oscar’s Barcelona Penthouse as a Light-Filled Mediterranean Sanctuary

Mediterranean Living celebrates the warmth, light, and timeless elegance of homes along the Mediterranean coast. From sun-drenched interiors to landscapes that merge indoors and out, each residence in this series embodies a harmony of natural materials, fluid spaces, and effortless connection to its surroundings—capturing the essence of Mediterranean life.

In Barcelona, Spain, MH.AP Studio designed Ana & Oscar’s 190 m² penthouse through a deeply collaborative process, designing an open-layout home that responds to the surrounding Mediterranean landscape overlooking Mount Collserola and the sea. A north–south plan, sliding timber panels, and a repeated material palette dissolve boundaries, shaping a living environment defined by openness, light, and seamless spatial flow.               

The project emerged through a continuous dialogue between the clients, Ana and Oscar, the contractor Iñaki, and the architectural team. 

This collaborative process shaped a home open to light and landscape, where interior and exterior interlace within an atmosphere that reflects the Mediterranean character of Barcelona.

Located on the top floor of a residential building at the point where the city begins its ascent toward Avinguda Tibidabo, the apartment occupies a privileged position with expansive views across Barcelona — from Mount Collserola, over the urban fabric, and toward the sea.

With 190 m² of interior space and nearly 100 m² of terraces at both ends, the apartment offered multiple possibilities for organization. 

Designed as a home for two, privacy constraints were minimal, allowing the layout to prioritize openness, shared living, and continuity between different areas of the house.

The plan is structured along a north–south axis. Bedrooms and bathrooms are positioned to the east, while the kitchen, dining area, and living room open toward the large west-facing terrace and the panoramic views. The main bedroom is conceived as a minimal and flexible unit, defined by sliding wooden panels at both ends that allow it to connect either to the living space or to the bathroom and dressing area, which together form a continuous open environment.

Benefiting from a climate that supports outdoor living for much of the year, the communal areas extend naturally toward the terrace. 

Kitchen and living room communicate across a central open space through large floor-to-ceiling openings. Material continuity reinforces this spatial flow, with warm and tactile finishes repeated inside and outside to create a coherent atmosphere.

On the terrace, a pergola integrating solar panels provides shade for an outdoor kitchen and a large built-in table finished with local green tiles. A small pool completes the exterior space, reinforcing the Mediterranean spirit that anchors the project. Together, these elements define a domestic environment shaped by openness, collaboration, and continuity with the landscape. 

This collaborative project translates Mediterranean living into spatial terms, where light, views, and outdoor spaces become integral components of everyday life.

Plans

Facts & Credits

Year: 2025
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Authors: MH.AP Studio (Andy Penuela, Marina Huguet)
Team: Iñaki Ormazábal (construction)
Area: 193 sqm
Photography: Simone Marcolin