Raúl Sánchez inserts A new layer within a 19th-century narrative

In Mataró, near Barcelona , Spain , architect Raúl Sánchez reworks La Casa del Pirata, a residence shaped by the life of 19th century privateer Manuel Cuyás, inserting a precise contemporary layer within its richly ornamented interiors. The intervention focuses on the main domestic rooms, where painted ceilings, decorative wallpapers, and inherited portraits are retained, allowing the historical atmosphere of the residence to remain fully present.

The project is organized around a stainless steel plinth that runs along the perimeter of the rooms, thickening to accommodate seating, desks, storage, and technical systems. Rather than introducing multiple elements, this unified structure consolidates the contemporary layer into one readable move.…