The restoration project of Casa Pia Batlló has been an exciting challenge, bringing together craftsmanship and architecture to restore the splendour of a listed and protected modernist building located in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district.

For KEIM, it has been a privilege to participate in this project by contributing to a key aspect that enhances the building’s beauty: the painting. This work is documented in a book that explores the history of the building, its architectural details, and the meticulous techniques employed to carry out a careful restoration, ensuring that every detail of its original modernist design was preserved to maintain its essence.

Situated at the intersection of Gran Vía and Rambla de Catalunya, in the very centre of Barcelona, Casa Pia Batlló was constructed between 1891 and 1896. It reflects the key characteristics of 19th-century Modernism, which drew inspiration from nature, its forms, and details to achieve a harmonious combination of beauty and functionality in design. The building embodies and merges these architectural and ornamental elements thanks to the design of renowned architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas.

Integrated into the Cerdá Plan, the building was conceived in line with the classic model of the Catalan bourgeoisie of the time. The property-owning family, in this case, the textile industrialists Bach-Batlló, resided on the first floor, while the upper floors were intended for rental purposes.

The building strikes a balance between sobriety and decorative richness. Its façade features floral reliefs, elegant mouldings, and vegetal and geometric motifs characteristic of Modernism. The wrought iron balconies and windows are framed by intricately carved stone decorations and elegantly curved cornices.

The architect introduced a sense of verticality by crowning Casa Pia Batlló with two towers of orthogonal base adorned with decorative stonework and glazed ceramic details.

The interior is equally rich in detail, with spacious, luminous rooms featuring high ceilings meticulously decorated with mouldings and frescoes inspired by nature. The hydraulic mosaic flooring adds warmth, while the stained-glass windows allow light to filter in, creating a uniquely coloured atmosphere. The restoration is completed with wrought iron fittings and floral motifs adorning both railings and door frames.

The latest restoration, documented in this book, was completed in 2020 after more than two years of work. Painting played a crucial role in the project, carried out by Muraltec S.L. in collaboration with the construction firm Trac Rehabilitación de Edificios, with interventions both on the façade (in the initial phase) and the interior.

The painting work was carried out in the entrance lobbies and the central courtyard, using KEIM mineral paints. The selection of construction materials is a strategic decision that defines both the quality and impact of a project.

Given that Casa Pia Batlló is listed as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest and included in Barcelona’s Architectural and Historic-Artistic Heritage Catalogue, the product was chosen for its exceptional durability. The silicate-based paint chemically reacts with the substrate, penetrating it to prevent degradation, ensuring resistance to sunlight, and reducing maintenance. Moreover, the colour remains absolutely stable over time.

In restoration projects, the concept of "painting" in the sense of a homogeneous chromatic finish is avoided. Instead, translucent glazes or patinas of varying dilution are applied to chromatically reintegrate gaps, mimic the stonework of the façade, or highlight original friezes. Silicate paints are ideal for achieving these objectives, as potassium silicate acts as both a binder and diluent. This means that the "paint" can be mixed with transparent silicate in any proportion, depending on the desired level of transparency. Additionally, its matte mineral finish ensures a completely natural appearance, allowing the restoration work to blend seamlessly with the original surfaces. The highest praise upon completing a restoration project is when it appears as though nothing has been done at all.

The selected and applied KEIM Restauro-Lasur mineral glaze successfully achieved the intended final result, enhancing the aesthetic and restoring the original appearance envisioned by architect Josep Vilaseca. Restauro-Lasur is a product specifically designed for glazing porous stone, brick, or render surfaces.

It is important to note that the potassium silicate in KEIM paint allows sunlight to interact directly with the colour pigments, resulting in an extraordinary depth and luminosity. This effect is due to the silicification process, which creates an insoluble and highly durable bond between the paint and the substrate, in this case, lime mortar. Furthermore, the colours appear vibrant on the matte surface, with absolute stability. The chromatic response required by the architect was also adapted to the artificial lighting incorporated into the building. A colour finish designed to endure over time.

Moreover, Restauro-Lasur is environmentally friendly and holds Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification. It represents a model of safe, environmentally sustainable, and circular paint solutions.

This restoration has been documented in a book that details the entire process, the history of the building, and the techniques employed. A project that proves that Modernism remains alive and that heritage conservation is key to inspiring the future.
 

Location: Barcelona, España

Products: KEIM Restauro-Lasur