PROGRAM: Residential
AREA: 1,005 m²
LOCATION: Palafolls, Barcelona
STATUS: Completed
TIMEFRAME: 2024–2026
Scala is a group of six terraced houses in Palafolls, Barcelona, designed in response to the slope of the access street. The stepped composition follows the topography, improving privacy, natural light and the relationship between each home and its surroundings.
Each house is organized over three levels, with private parking below, living spaces opening onto a garden at ground level and bedrooms above. Balconies address both the street and the landscape, including views towards the Castle of Palafolls.
The project combines prefabricated load-bearing concrete walls with cross-laminated timber floors. This hybrid industrialized system brings together construction speed and precision with the warmth of exposed timber. High-efficiency energy systems and a flexible internal layout support long-term comfort and adaptability.
Scala shows how industrialized construction can remain specific to place: the system responds to the slope, the domestic scale of the street and the surrounding landscape rather than imposing a generic solution.
Each dwelling is organized across three levels. In the basement, there is private parking with direct access to the house.
The ground floor contains a study and common areas, highlighted by a large window that connects to the private garden, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
The upper floor houses the private areas: two bedrooms share a balcony facing the street, while the master suite enjoys its own private balcony with views of the garden and the hill crowned by the Castle of Palafolls.
The CLT structure used for the floors creates a notable visual impact inside the apartments, where both the floor and ceiling remain exposed, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
In addition, these elements provide exceptional acoustic insulation, while the high-efficiency energy systems integrated into the homes transform each residence into an example of sustainable luxury.
Every detail, from the finishes to the kitchens and bathrooms, is carefully crafted to prioritize comfort, functionality, and visual appeal. The white lacquered wood doors add an elegant touch to each room. The fully equipped kitchens feature a sophisticated combination of white-veined Silestone marble and warm wooden accents, achieving a perfect balance between modernity and coziness.
The interiors are finished to the highest standards, with smooth plasterboard walls painted with durable, easy-to-maintain plastic paint. The laminated floors offer both style and practicality, while the ceilings, finished with plasterboard, have a seamless, uniform appearance thanks to a fresh layer of plastic paint.
The wooden cladding continues on the exterior, extending the same warm feel from the interior to the outside.
DIRECTOR: Xavier Vilalta
PROJECT LEADERS: Eliana Pérez, Miquel Peguero
PROJECT TEAM: Marc Lostaló, Effie Basmatzidi, Vincenzo Fernandes,
Pamela Vega, Małgorzata Wychowaniec
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: CD Consultoría Prefabricado
MEP ENGINEERING: AE-Ingeniería
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: José Berrocal
CONSTRUCTOR: Modular Home, Arev Homes
PHOTOGRAPHY: Paula Castillo