In FEATURED ARCHITECT series by Archisearch, we collect and present the local and international creative studios that emerge and stand out, in the architectural field nowadays, while promoting – with distinctive character, spontaneity, and courage – the relevant issues pertained to architectural as well as artistic theory and practice. As October goes by, we introduce MH.AP Studio  an architectural firm based in Barcelona, that practices architecture as a transitional space with a human-centred approach. 

The Design Philosophy

Founded by Marina Huguet and Andrés Peñuela, MH.AP is an architectural firm based in Barcelona that operates through collaborative efforts and  personalized guidance to offer custom made design solutions.

Marina Huguet (Reus, Spain) and Andrés Peñuela (Medellín, Colombia) graduated in Architecture at the ETSAV in Barcelona. They began their practice as nomads, living and working in Sweden, France and Southeast Asia. During that time, they had the opportunity to collaborate in architecture firms such as Barozzi Veiga, Tham & Videgård, and Dominique Perrault, among others. In 2015 Marina and Andrés moved back to Spain to found MH.AP. They believe in having a constant dialogue with clients and collaborators, understanding these exchanges as a fundamental tool to enrich their projects.

Through their practice, they aim to produce architecture linked to the social, economic and cultural context of each project.

MH.AP has successfully executed several residential and public projects inside and outside Barcelona, obtaining recognitions for their work, including the first prize of the X Biennial Alejandro de la Sota, first prize of the  Premis Comarca de Girona, and two AJAC Awards in 2016 and 2024. Currently, Marina and Andrés also teach at the University School of Design and Art of Barcelona (EINA).

The Works

Alba & Oriol | A Catalan House with a Colombian Soul

This house in the Spanish coastal town of Salou is the result of a collaborative effort with our clients. Alba’s vision of a sloping roof with exposed wooden beams and Oriol’s desire for a house that connects with the garden without sacrificing privacy led us to explore openness, proportion, and shape.

We drew inspiration from the local poultry ranches, mixed materialities, and Colombian haciendas to create a design that resonates with the surrounding architecture while incorporating unfamiliar formal expressions.

The ground floor is organized around the landscape. To the north, two single bedrooms share a bathroom, while the south-facing living spaces open to a tropical-style porch, blurring the boundary between the interior and garden. The main bedroom is placed on the east side of the house, allowing the couple to access the pool from their bedroom easily. The upper floor is an open space that functions as an artist’s studio and playroom. In the future, this room can also be transformed into a third bedroom with an independent bathroom.

The couple wanted to have as many rooms on the ground floor as possible to connect with the outdoors. Because of this, we accommodated two single bedrooms sharing a full bathroom on the north facade near the entrance and an ample space containing the living areas on the south facade.

This space opens entirely to an outdoor shaded area inspired by the colonial architecture in South America, where the red-tiled verandas with square pillars work as a transitional and living area.

Guided by traditional Mediterranean architecture, our sustainability strategy focused on building thermal inertia. Single-layered 40cm thick cellular concrete brick walls, in-situ concrete floor with integrated heating and double-layered roof with 20 cm of cork insulation and ventilated tiles enhance comfort while reducing energy consumption.

Project title Alba & Oriol
Typology Residential
Location Salou, Tarragona, Spain
Architects MH.AP Studio 
Principal Architects Marina Huguet Blasi & Andy Penuela Betancur
Team Florence Robinson
Collaborators Xavi Aguado (Structural engineer), M7 Enginyers (MEP engineer), AV/AT (Technical Architect), Anna Vilarnau (landscape), Ton Sentís (construction)
Area 250 sqm interior + 600 sqm garden
Design Year 2020
Completion Year 2024
Client Private
Constructor Ton Sentís
Photography Simone Marcolin 
Text provided by the architects 

Silvia & Diego

For the renovation of Silvia and Diego’s flat located on a typical chamfered corner of Barcelona’s Eixample, we focused on transforming narrow, segmented spaces into open, interconnected living areas.

To optimize circulation and increase natural light, we shortened the corridor and added new functionalities, integrating it with the rest of the apartment. Removing four walls and placing the kitchen at the centre of the layout allowed us to create larger areas. The wooden walls and cabinets in the kitchen emphasize its dual role as a transitional and functional space. As a result of these alterations, both the internal and external-facing rooms of the flat feel more spacious and luminous.

The apartment’s original fan-shaped historical layout, ornate ceiling, and Nolla mosaic floor tiles guided many project decisions.

By introducing new colours and shapes, we established a dialogue between the past and present. The ceiling’s new topography unifies different heights, adapting to windows and organizing new elements.

The interplay of geometric shapes and bold colours aims to enhance existing spatial qualities.

The project also involved the restoration of all the original doors and windows.

Project title Silvia & Diego
Typology Residential
Location Barcelona, Spain
Architecture MH.AP Studio
Team Marina Huget, Andrés Peñuela (architects), THK Construcciones (construction)
Year 2023
Programme Apartment renovation
Area 131sqm
Photographer Luis Díaz Díaz

Carmen & Jorge

Carmen and Jorge are a couple with two children who contacted us to renovate Carmen’s grandfather’s old flat, adapting it to their current needs. Carmen had lived in the flat before, so she knew every corner intimately. We carried out a comprehensive intervention, slightly altering the original layout and material palette to improve functionality and give the space a new lease of life.

The flat is located on the fifth floor overlooking the square. The original layout and materials prevented natural light from the living room—located on the main façade—from reaching the kitchen, leaving these areas dark and disconnected. After evaluating various options with Carmen and Jorge on how to reconfigure the space, they opted for an open-plan kitchen at the entrance and a living room that flows into it.

The children’s bedrooms, a full bathroom, and the main en suite bedroom are arranged along a short corridor, separated from the main living area by a pivoting wooden door.

One of the project’s most distinctive features is its triangular floor plan, which gives certain rooms their unique character.

We adapted the kitchen to the triangular entrance space, organising it around a central island and separating it from the main door with a full-height partition. The entrance, corridor and kitchen are essentially one continuous space, differentiated only by a change in floor material.

Project Carmen & Jorge
Typology Residential, Renovation
Location Barcelona, Spain
Year 2024
Area 120 sqm
Architecture MH.AP Studio (Marina Huguet, Andy Penuela)
Team Inês Guergosso Meireles
Photographer Pol Masip

Carme & Josep

For Carme and Josep, who have called this place home for over 30 years, the garden used to be just a quiet space to get some fresh air among the olive trees. After becoming grandparents and experiencing the changes brought by COVID-19, they dreamed of a place where they could spend more time outdoors and share moments with their family.

With the addition of a pool and a barbecue, our intervention gave the garden new uses, allowing the family to turn it into a space for gathering.

The triangular concrete plinth follows the geometry of the plot and faces north, towards the house Josep designed.

The bricks, recovered from the original construction, were stored for 30 years. Behind the outdoor kitchen, the pool equipment is hidden from view. Inspired by local basses, the pool is clad in soft, locally sourced Cènia stone. This subtle nod to the region’s heritage grounds the space in its Mediterranean roots.

Project Carme & Josep
Typology Residential, Barbeque
Location Reus, Spain
Year 2024
Architecture MH.AP Studio
Team Marina Huguet, Andy Peñuela (authors)
Photographer Pol Masip


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