Franckly Friends: Palmera Estudio is artist Albert Madaula’s dreamy home and atelier in Barcelona

Albert Madaula is known for his expressive and colorful paintings. Design Stories had a chance to visit Madaula’s beautiful home atelier, called Palmera Estudio, in Barcelona. Take a tour with us!

IT’S A SUNNY AUTUMN morning in El Poblenou, a busy neighborhood in the district of San Martí in Barcelona, Spain. Formerly an important industrial center, the area has transformed into a home for emerging businesses and a growing art scene attracting young creatives. One of them is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Albert Madaula.

Madaula runs Palmera Estudio, where he creates colorful abstract paintings. The atelier is also a collective space for creatives working on artistic projects, films, and tv productions, and art expositions. Surprisingly, it’s also Madaula’s beautiful home, decorated with interesting second-hand gems.

Hello Albert! Tell us the story of Palmera Estudio. How did you discover it?
“I used to live in the neighborhood of Gràcia in Barcelona, where I also had my studio. In 2019 I had to leave the flat and the studio, and at that moment I thought “okay, what’s next?”. I decided to chase my dream of finding and remodeling an apartment and turning it into my home studio. I gave myself a month to find a place in which to settle. At first, I couldn’t find anything I liked: most places had no natural light, or they were either too small or too big.

Then one day I passed by an industrial building in Poblenou that had been turned into apartments. I had heard of it before, and I knew it was high on demand – usually, there weren’t any flats available. But I decided to give it a go. I approached the doorman and heard that one space was becoming vacant in a couple of days. That same afternoon I signed a lease for it.”

In what condition did you find the place?
“To be honest, it was terrible! It had an awful kitchen right next to the entrance and a single wall that divided the entire apartment in two. It was dirty and badly maintained. Despite the rather negative first impression, as soon as I entered the space, I knew it had huge potential. This was not only because of the industrial windows and the distinctive identity of the building itself, but also the fact that more and more young, creative people were moving to the neighborhood.

I had to move in while the renovation was being carried out. I remember sleeping here without electricity and seeing all my furniture and belongings piled up in a corner gathering dust and dirt. The home looked like a parking lot. I constantly wondered if I had made the right decision.”

“It took about a year and a half before the space looked how I had envisioned it.”

Looking at it now I’d say yes, it was the right move! How long did the renovation take?
“It took about a year and a half before Palmera Estudio looked how I had envisioned it. The most intensive renovation was carried out during the first six months.”

Palmera Estudio has been created with extreme care and attention to detail. Did you have the concept preconceived?
“I did have a pretty clear concept for my studio. I wanted it to be in one of the industrial buildings that proliferated in the 1970s here in Poblenou. In this one, I particularly liked the metal stairs visible on the outside and the beige red color of the building facade. I think it’s something very fresh and characteristic of Barcelona. A type of building that you can find in other European cities, but less commonly in Spain, not even in other industrial cities like Madrid.”

Where did you look for inspiration when you started defining the aesthetics and decoration?
“In architecture, I found inspiration from the buildings of the 60s and 70s periods in Spain, such as La Muralla Roja by Ricardo Bofill and Casa Gomis created by Antonio Bonet in El Prat de Llobregat.

From the very beginning I wanted a personal interior design but at the same time link it to the building’s façade and industrial roots. I tried to avoid creating a bubble inside that was disconnected from the exterior. My plan was to design a warm Mediterranean-infused interior.”

• Read also: La Muralla Roja – a cinematographic dream house in coastal Spain >

You have a lot of eye-catching objects spread across the house. Have you purchased them new, or do you shop second-hand?
“I’m a real vintage furniture aficionado. I love to visit second-hand stores or street markets like the one in Sant Cugat del Vallès and get lost while looking for hidden gems. Currently, you can often find second-hand products that are real gems with lots of character. I’ve always believed that vintage objects are more special, with a story behind them. I recommend combining new furniture pieces from brands you like with beloved second-hand items to create the perfect atmosphere and aesthetic balance.”

“I’ve always believed that vintage objects are more special, with a story behind them.”

Each corner here in Palmera Estudio is so cozy and inviting. Do you have a favorite spot?
“I like to sit down right on the corner of the mustard-colored velvet couch, enjoy the views, and gaze at the sunset through the big windows. I enjoy these calm moments especially on the weekends when the studio is quieter. During the weekdays, however, it’s a crazy party in here!”

Since you live and work here, you obviously spend a lot of time in the same location. Do you find it challenging?
“I was aware that the hard part would be living and working in the same space. Luckily, it’s a large well-defined space, with loads of natural light. When I started Palmera, I wanted to have the home area alongside the outer wall to avoid direct sight to the atelier. The columns also help to hide the workshop when I don't want to think about work. Otherwise, my paintings start to ‘speak’ to me and I don't want to hear them all the time!”

Do you think that the home atelier has had an influence on your artworks and film productions?
“Yes. It has inspired and helped me to grow professionally in the art world. It has also allowed me to have my inner world externalized, projected outwards. I think Palmera helps people understand a little better who I am and what I want to say and convey artistically. It’s a place that supports me both emotionally and commercially. Palmera is my shelter.”

See also:

• More pre-loved design treasures at Franckly >

Text: Lorenzo Molina Montilla Images: Pol Viladoms Production: Design Stories