Bought dark fixer-upper. Turned it into dream home (before/after)

Three years ago, we embarked on a family project. We found a derelict (and affordable) country home located in a tiny, well-maintained castle hamlet 1 hour outside Barcelona, Spain. We began renovation with the help of a young architecture studio based in Antoni Gaudí's birthplace, Reus.
Can houses be honest with both their surroundings and inhabitants? What does it take to create a timeless home? Can a home remodel celebrate the layers of past, present, and future? Do homes know how to grow old in good shape?
Without knowing it, we began an enriching conversation about the layers of a timeless building that projects into the future: the bottom floor's bareness was respected; the first floor gathers all the house's living services; whereas the second floor opens to the natural surroundings.
There's a gradient between the 3 floors of the house, bottom to top: from more primitive to more sophisticated, from less intervention to more intervention, from colder materials to warmer elements, from more protection/seclusion to the display of the Mediterranean, unspoiled surroundings.
We want to share this video with you as the first step towards a series of 3 documentaries that will explain the house in depth from three different perspectives.
In our second video ( • We needed simple furni... ), we explain how we came with low-tech solutions that perform very well with climate, inhabitants, and the surroundings (from materials to openings, and of course, furniture).
The third video will celebrate our collaboration with David Tapias (leading architect), Ricard Pau (assistant architect), Gerard Marmolejo (transforming furniture design), and more. Stay tuned.
-Aixopluc Architects: aixopluc.net/
-Read the article by Dwell+ on House Among Portals: "In Spain, an Edgy Renovation Uses Off-the-Shelf Materials in Surprising Ways": www.dwell.com/...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@shortymcsteve]

I love this channel so much. I’ve been following for a very long time now and this particular video was so nice to see. I’m so happy for you and your family to have such a wonderful home in a building with many stories to tell, and if anyone deserves to own and take care of such a building it’s the both of you! I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

[@velvetindigonight]

Beautifuly said/writen and agreed! Enjoy

[@kristinaginorio1344]

All the varied houses you've shown us, everything you've learned along the way, have informed your decisions. Trusting an architect was a smart move. You're saving the property and transforming it into a treasured HOME.

[@Turitea]

You have given this building a new life without spoiling it. Well done.

[@grandpabakes]

i love this channel especially for us seniors watching kirsten and family in their adventures. as if im also there and see the culture there like Spain for free. thanks KZbin and kirsten.

[@velvetindigonight]

Agreed! Soo love KZbin it's opened up the world and as I don't like to travel much has made an experience of everywhwere available to me that I would not normaly have! Enjoy

[@araceliedwards9323]

What a beautiful, peaceful and natural home. I love it!

[@jimjimgl3]

That was such an enjoyable 33:31 minutes spent. Your new home seems so well-suited to you and your family. The best part for me, after of course seeing the way you approached the renovation, was watching how you and your children interact.

[@smileyhappyradio]

This is one of the first channels I joined when I found youtube, thank you for sharing so much so many years. Anyone asks me about what I watch, I always say your channel. Your films always inspire me, and also thank you for showing us your own home. I hope I pick the best name!

[@wendyannh]

What a beautiful, sensitive renovation - and OMG, that location, and the views! To die for, all of it. May you all have many happy years together there.

[@rebeccapettifer6553]

Oh my how beautiful your home is going to be! Not fancy but beautiful and everlasting. So happy for you all. Yes everyone needs a place to go home to and this wonderful place is yours!

[@hamradiojim6788]

Your channel has always educated and enlightened me with your stories about people's personal living spaces...you provided the window, and they told their stories. Now, it is so exciting to experience the storyteller's own story. What a beautiful site you chose and a challenging structure to improve. Can't wait to see what develops.

[@allegrosotto2126]

Amazing thoughtful transformation, loved seeing the process this way.

[@johnmichael7983]

This home is Alchemy, a brilliant Fusion of Portals between past and present. I became entranced by the conversion of this space, so honorable to both its origins and current provisions. And I'll add my utmost respect for those who can elegantly juggle a marriage, children, international travel, business entrepreneurship, and a renovation...and keep it all together! Thank you for this glimpse into your privacy, as well as all the ideas and hope you've provided me over the years. Getting ready to sell a very special place, my beloved home, and move on to the simpler cabin life you've helped me believe I can achieve.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Thank you for your words Michael; it's been a team's work with so many people generously contributing to it. Hopefully, a more technical second video in some weeks/months from now will honor those who helped us in this particular endeavor.

[@batwood]

Love it in every way. The architectural philosophy of "truth in materials" is so satisfying to see in practice. Looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.

[@NotSureJoeBauers]

I'm impressed by how the architect was able to blend modern conventional (and economical!) construction with the timeless old world craftsmanship. The renovation doesn't hide _what_ it is, the space is very honest about being new, but very modest in its new-ness

[@nicatnight70]

This is fantastic! A great distillation of your exploration of home. Thank you for all the great work you do and for sharing your own homemaking process with us. So thrilled to be a part of your journey!!

[@nathan1459]

Bold use of the concrete block, especially street facing in such a historic setting.

[@josh_prada]

Beautiful Spain. It never disappoints!

[@johndoesen1718]

That is a brilliant home you and your family got yourselves there, and what a beautiful location. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to see the next two videos of the project. :)

[@mayito9100]

As an enthusiastic architect I have always had a taste for Spanish Architecture. I wish I could work and renovate a project like this. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Ajeet_Bharadwaj]

Really loving these ancient renovation type videos

[@rebeccawellington2633]

I really like your vlog style videos these days, it’s nice getting to know your family and how you move through life in your beautiful way. Cheers from Seattle, Wa. 💜

[@stevem815]

The old world has such an interesting base to work from. It's very rare to have something like this in Australia. We're mostly building from scratch or doing renovations of 1950's stick framed asbestos cottages. We can do cool things but rarely anything like this, it's like having your turn on an artwork that people have been contributing to for centuries. It sucks that the building regulations are so strict, but it's also understandable when you see the monstrosities that a lot of architects will produce when given free reign. It's a difficult problem to solve everywhere, the balance between innovation and preservation.

[@tonymleitao]

Hermosa transformación!! Perfect location and thanks to people like you, these beautiful medieval towns can still stand for hundred of years.

[@ОльгаТелятникова-у6ы]

Давно не была у Вас на канале. Рада видеть, что у Вас, с детьми, продолжается жизнь путешественников.

[@kimhaas7586]

Those opening shots had me singing “sigh not so, ladies” like the opening of Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing. Even the location from a historical perspective is just about right. If not Much Ado, then Othello.

[@chinguchimp1357]

Oh yes, I agree, this place has a "Much ado about nothing" vibe! :D

[@the_str4ng3r]

Stunning home, Kirsten! Great reimagining of the space!

[@kirstendirksen]

Thanks!

[@clayed]

Corner windows are the best. They allow for amazing views without sacrificing large amounts of valuable wall space.

[@lalineaa]

Can't wait to see once it's completely done! Beautiful house.

[@JP-bv7bf]

So happy for you and your family to be able to get such a wonderful fixer upper that is going to be great! well done, nice to see the kids really enjoying it. pease show us the finish home. Beautiful site. BC Canada

[@petricefrost1874]

Love it, so envious of the beautiful home you have created. Love the architects work on the property, your views and the old world charm you have kept/included in your family home. Well done!!

[@navyak1915]

Kristen I am coming here after ages Didn't know you got your own paradise and were renovating it.. Love the area.. So happy for you After following you for years.. I feel so happy to see this..

[@raynoladominguez4730]

What a warm and inviting home. I really appreciate this channel, but this episode in particular; I love.

[@DHROMAR]

Thanks for sharing. I am very happy for your family! Enjoy!

[@HenJack-vl5cb]

Uno de los mejores proyectos vistos en KZbin.El lugar, el trabajo,los materiales ,la estética ...Un gusto impecable.Enhorabuena!

[@laura-yu3kh]

Beautifully adapted to today’s needs and expectations while preserving the original footprint. Congratulations on a wonderful home you can return to...¡Saludos!

[@gnarbeljo8980]

Stunning! Great job! There’s a very good point to having the glass broken up into windowframes in a location like this with a sensitive biotop, not just for the character: birds tend to not see wide expanese of glass, especially under the eves of a roof, so they fly into it and break their necks constantly. I’ve experienced it to the point of gathering beautiful dead songbirds every morning and it was the saddest thing ever.

[@melissadull1594]

What a beautiful home for your family! Wonderful job. In the beginning after the roof was gone, I have to admit I immediately thought "wouldn't it have been a beautiful open rooftop garden with the views, a telescope to enjoy your tremendous sky. Your vision is brilliant! Thank you for sharing this and your insight! I'm trying to develop beautiful affordable housing for families having to start over after losing a spouse, natural disaster, or traumatic events. Everyone deserves to own a little piece of heaven to call their own 💜Many blessings to you all 🙏

[@wilhelmthewoodcutter3428]

looking forward to this castle. All your videos are amazing. One day I hope to be interesting enough to be on your channel.

[@kirstendirksen]

Hope to see a project of yours one day!

[@joselito7776]

Beautiful space, full of character, in a environment with so much history, you can almost touch it. Congratulations. Its well deserved, Im sure.

[@nicolasboullosa]

+1.

[@ltandrepants]

this is fantastic! i renovate old homes in new orleans and love when i discover something that was covered up. finding that arch is amazing! i also love the different textures of time!

[@ittybittykittyrescue4843]

❤️❤️❤️❤️ Absolutely love what you did to the house. Just stunning! Congrats!

[@30dayride67]

I LOVE IT! The natural simplicity is so refreshing and oh my gosh what gorgeous views! Beyond the structure I was so taken by the children. Their curiosity and appreciation of the natural world that surrounds them. I remember way back when my children were like that and I couldn't help thinking how lucky they all are to be raised in such an environment. I can't help thinking about all the children in the world that don't have a safe place outdoors to play much less a green space. How much better would this world be if every child had a safe green space to grow up in? If they all had access to a natural environment to explore and appreciate all that nature offers that can't be found in a video game or on the streets where violence reigns.

[@princesspearlthumb]

Thank you for inviting us into your home! The renovation is fantastic. I’ve been watching your videos for years, and almost feel like I know you because of that. Fun to get to visit your home after visiting all those other homes with you!

[@rossrreyes]

Its amazing how bigger the kids have gotten from when you first got this house

[@nicolasboullosa]

Wake up call for us all. Entropy and time are real. Let’s take the nice side of it if we all agree. Let’s evolve and celebrate.

[@sroberts605]

@@nicolasboullosa Lol, were you in a philosophical frame of mind by any chance?

[@nicolasboullosa]

@@sroberts605 maybe we undersell the YT comments section, it can be a cesspool of bad faith but it also keeps us ticking if we know how to use it.

[@sroberts605]

@@nicolasboullosa Your comment took me zooming off to the end of the universe... and right back to appreciating the present. Carry on inspiring :)

[@StandingUpForBetter]

AMAZING work! I love it when these old structures are renovated but keep their orginal character. Job well done to everyone involved! Thanks for sharing.

[@Vaidd4]

The contrast between apparent rock on the outside, the OSB panels here and there and all the bricks IS stunning. And I'm not even talking about all the openings.

[@deniseokanlawon9412]

I love that Kirsten take her children with her when visiting certain places what an education for them, and the house you can see it's going to be lovely, I mean the setting is beautiful.

[@mrJMD]

Wow! Looks fantastic! Well done, all of you. Those views are incredible, every single one.

[@cherylanderson3340]

Love your home & renovations! What a unique location!!! The views from every window are very beautiful & from the top - spectacular.

[@rebacarmack8335]

What an amazing home, thanks for sharing it with us. Absolutely fabulous

[@greatboniwanker]

Congratulations! Oh My, what a beautiful spot! Really, really excited for you (& the kids)!

[@kimhaas7586]

Wow. I can’t wait for the next two parts.

[@nullplus_space]

Amazing to see how they used the wood for the restoration!!

[@Duca915]

Absolutely amazing! I wondered if you had your own creation. This space is brilliant not for only the interior but the location, views, activity at street level and views to the castle. Austere yes but so adaptable to the environment and potential future alterations. Marvelous work Kirsten Nic and your 3 lovely kids. Great job - I wish I had that place...

[@timothydeneffe249]

Your channel not only captures architecture, but a piece of human nature rooted in materials and history. Congratulations on your new home. Thanks for taking me on so many journeys of the human spirit.

[@ABC-rh7zc]

Wonderful location! The whole village is in great shape and feels original. Very nice.

[@oscarportillotenorio3772]

I'am so happy to see your proyect!!! Congratulations!!! you really found a wonderful place to make your proyect its a beautiful house in a historic place. This is what a house is about :) cant wait to see the end result, hugs for all the family

[@808v1]

The architects (I'm sure with your family's input) did a fantastic transformation of this building, it's wonderfully done. Such an intelligent and pleasing mix of modern materials and concepts with the old-world construction. I love it. EDIT: And the location and surrounding area is almost beyond words :)

[@dianorrington]

Stark is the New Black. Simplicity is Divine. The interior surface of your new walls on the top floor remind me of my old home in Kyoto. SUPER cool and so ahead of their time. Not to mention the absence of industrial construction chemicals in your new space. Brilliant! Looking forward to seeing more about it.

[@rneustel388]

This is such a beautiful home, and I can’t wait to see the little documentaries about creating it.

[@christinaleutscher7846]

The many different views, just mesmerising, especially overlooking the water reservoir. Reminds me a little of Kenya. Well done. 👏

[@nicolasboullosa]

Want to visit Kenya, hopefully soon. We were invited but couldn't go. Next time.

[@gardens2b7]

Love this episode. The changing colors and clouds in the sky are so interesting.

[@1957azerty]

Très malin, belle organisation des espaces, économie de moyens, localisation et situation exceptionnelles. Well done !

[@adrianmcnally6006]

A well deserved place to connect with each other and the earth, enjoy : )

[@naranjo99]

I'm so happy to see you all have finally decided for a place to settle in ! Congratulations !

[@Ashlee1985]

I get so nervous seeing the kids on ledges. I'm afraid of heights lol Beautiful house though!

[@JoySilla]

I know! That made me anxious just seeing the daughter there

[@dugfriendly]

my life would be filled with hours looking out over that water - so beautiful

[@misterosc]

I don't know if I could live with that kind of raw or unfinished look, but I think it's a great renovation, really respectful to the place, nice and minimal. I wold love to see how the house evolves with you and what things you decide to change. Being Spanish and not having blinds or curtains I don't know if i could manage that 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nicolasboullosa]

Lol, 2 great points, so thank you for being brave and bringing 2 important things. I know, downstairs is raw, but I recognize it grows in you with time, I feel like we bought a huge painting by Tàpies. Blinds: working on something low-tech, eco and interesting to hopefully show you some day. It won’t be regular blinds.

[@PerfectSpainValencia]

@@nicolasboullosa I always joke about the "air conditioning" in old Valencian homes, Persianas Alicantinas, rolling external wood blinds thrown over the balcony rail to block the suns rays and allow a breeze. They do work to a point. With the heat sink of the stone something simple to block direct sun could work.

[@PerfectSpainValencia]

Also your village is lovely.

[@nicolasboullosa]

@@PerfectSpainValencia Notice that País Valencià, especially from Valencia province down, is significantly more humid and hot in July and August than the Catalonia closest to the sea (not to talk about the Pyrenées, with chilly nights in the middle of summer due to altitude). In this case, insulation, airflow, and thermal mass, as well as the proximity of a big body of forest+water, will do part of the trick due to evaporation and thermal difference indoors-outdoors. If you are familiar with the "botijo", we'll do that at a big scale: airflow and thermal inertia will keep the house cool, and we'll add an "original" mechanism for blinding the big windows in the hot summer middays. Let me keep the specs of that protective low-tech solution for the future since it hasn't happened yet.

[@internetusername9593]

happy for you!!!! so wholesome. please continue to be a ray of sunshine for many of us stuck in dark places ;P

[@iamthelab_]

Been a fan since the Jay Shafer era and I'm so glad to see what exposure to a myriad of creative folks has yielded: a lovely and sustainable home for a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing your home and journey with us!

[@zacharykingston1046]

Never been so excited to watch a video in my life after seeing headline...Iwill say it again best channel on youtube

[@julianongpin7181]

We all really admire and respect your work. Happy to see you happy and this project coming along. All the best!

[@elainefarr3155]

What an amazing place!! I love the remodel you've done, and the beautiful surroundings and small town is great for a family. Thanks for sharing, it's beautiful

[@anthonymorales842]

Remarkable and well groovy. Great place for little ones

[@sustainablenetwork]

This is one of my favorite episodes. I'm excited for you and your family. Your home turned out gorgeous the the location is amazing.

[@sunnyseabrook9136]

You guys NEVER cease to amaze me! Kudos for your never ending enthusiasm and creativity!! Hoping to see you in the not too distant future... AUnt SUnny

[@nicolasboullosa]

Hi Sunny, how are you? BTW you are invited to visit any time you want as family. Letting Kirsten know you commented. Hope all is well!

[@pipipi682]

My congratulations! Love Catalonia and their architecture! And you've made a real house of a dream! Just... WOW!

[@catherinecornick4560]

It is so nice to see your children growing up in your videós.

[@kaygee301]

Wow the view. Dream house and location

[@brucecggallagher1949]

Congratulations! I have been watching for years now...what an interesting and inspiring project. I look forward to seeing all the episodes and especially as they are for your own family.

[@cdattels]

Wow, what an amazing house. I love how you have honored both the original architecture and the mew modern construction materials in your design. And what an amazing setting! Great work

[@mildredmartinez8041]

Thank you very much for sharing your home, it is beautiful. I have watched your channel for years.

[@gabriellechilton5902]

Wow. The kids have grown. Beautiful.

[@carolewarner101]

Wow! What an amazing, exciting project for your family! Can't wait for the next two installments...beautiful!

[@universallyinsync]

What a gorgeous view onto the water! Those smaller concrete block retaining walls at about 22 minutes in gave me a thought for someone who needs to shore up a basement wall. Why not have large hardware hooks or loops cemented in at intervals, or glued on, if needed? Then lighting can be threaded through, and walls can be left as is, or sealed if necessary. I can see it, with Edison bulbs, in my mind. It becomes a statement. ☺💗🌇

[@youlikeanh]

Thank you for the follow up video. i was excited to see how your home would come to life and it definitely feels molded perfectly to your family's vibes. congrats and hope to see another update soon!

[@priscillateppe7117]

Oh guys I'm so excited for you! How wonderful to finally go back to your own home. I've been following your work for years. Always enjoyed the filming style, content... Well done! We're in the middle of renovations here in Brisbane Queensland Australia. Can't wait to move back in. Congratulations to you 5!

[@BUEAU]

@28:00 yeah good call Kirsten, that space needs work. It looks, sounds and feels like a rest-stop bathroom along the highway. So much potential in that place tho!

[@nicolasboullosa]

LOL.

[@samsthomas]

This is amazing. I have a bit more than a tinge of envy. I would love to find something like this. I love how you are renovating a building with such a rich history while maintaining its character and context.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Appreciate your honesty. Will try to share some pictures eventually, as well as a video more focused on technical questions (less personal therefore, we aren’t used to it and not sure if I love it; prefer to hear others talking). It may take some time, but Kirsten sees it happening too. We left so much stuff out.

[@samsthomas]

@@nicolasboullosa Thank you. I hope to see more of your lovely home in the future. It was very nice to see the transformation of the interior spaces in immediate succession in this video. I especially liked the transformation of the attic space and the kitchen space. Your home truly is a special place.

[@jackl.8343]

A win on so many levels, especially as it chronicles and informs what you do. Superb. Thanks for sharing! Btw, more stuff from Greece, please! ;)

[@indranibaxter897]

Congratulations on your home! I love this channel and it is lovely to see your own home transformation. Love it so much and that area, and the view, stunning. The children look very happy there.Thank you for sharing.❤️🤗

[@karenknowles1537]

I think the birds are swallows. They are nesting high in the castle.

[@andrewwoodgate3769]

Housemartins, I think

[@leighharron]

@@andrewwoodgate3769 I agree, housemartins.

[@georgedoolittle7574]

*AND LIEBNIZ DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE!* *"THE GREEKS ARE GOING MAD! THE GREEKS ARE GOING MAD!*

[@RickSterling]

yes .. they eat flying insects ...

[@mathill66]

African or European Swallows?

[@juliemac5604]

Kirsten, I’m curious to see how you finish/decorate it. I know you are minimalists, but a home is so much more than just walls and floors.

[@nicolasboullosa]

Definitely some rags, books, furniture. They’ll come with time.

[@erik-rw4oo]

Very interesting process of renovation. Lovely place

[@CrackberryMe]

Beautiful Home for a Beautiful Family !!! Enjoy !!! It's Perfection!!

[@1999GGO]

Me and my mom a couple of years ago considered buying the house in the corner of the castle square as a second residence.

[@noworriesimfijian]

What a beautiful transformation and an ideal picturesque location. Can’t wait to see the finished house. Great blend of the old and new. Love the windows on every floor especially the attic level. Great rediscovery of the arch.😎🤙👍

[@lilrask9464]

The drone shots were very cool

[@eshqa]

Thank you sharing this family project. 💖

[@mmc5075]

Many vibrations of love for you and your family. Everything will be alright. Kisses from Brazil.