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All Spain Sant Just Desvern La Fábrica (The Factory)

La Fábrica (The Factory)

An architect transformed this abandoned cement factory into his castle-like workshop.

Sant Just Desvern, Spain

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Miranda Ray
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Rooftop gardens on the old factory silos.   Till F. Teenck
La Fábrica, Ricardo Bofill’s repurposed factory, in its early days.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
The gardens of Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.   RBTA Marketing Team
In the gardens of La Fábrica.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
La Fábrica gardens.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
Ricardo Bofill’s La Fábrica.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
La Fábrica, a cement factory repurposed as an architectural firm.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
A pavilion in La Fábrica.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
Workspace in the former cement factory.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
La Fábrica gardens at night.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
La Fábrica at night.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
Ricardo Bofill’s Taller de Arquitectura.   Forgemind ArchiMedia
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An architect in Barcelona has spent almost half a century renovating an old cement factory into his home office—and managed to create a gorgeous statement of functionality and enchantment along the way.

Known as "La Fábrica," the modern-day fortress that houses Ricardo Bofill's firm, Taller de Arquitectura, is a visual incongruence of exposed concrete and rich green flora. After purchasing the cement factory in 1973, Bofill transformed the eight spacious silos into a lofty interior for his workshop.

The repurposed space houses everything from offices to libraries to the firm's exhibition room, known reverentially as "The Cathedral." Bofill himself resides within the factory. The grounds outside are carpeted by grass; eucalyptus, palm, olive, and plum trees grow in abundance. Climbing plants scale the various structures, lending La Fábrica the appearance of a lost industrial ruin—although nature's seeming attempts at reclaiming the factory have been carefully encouraged by the hands of artists.

The renovation draws its inspiration from the Catalan Gothic style, and also includes influences from other architectural languages. According to Bofill, while today the original cement factory has been successfully transfigured, La Fábrica will always remain an "unfinished work." La Fábrica stands as a testament to the fact that any space can be reborn, and proves that an imaginative architect can adapt their art to even the most unexpected surroundings.

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Abandoned Factories Architecture Gardens Industrial Plants

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Mira

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Molly McBride Jacobson

  • Molly McBride Jacobson

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April 11, 2017

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  • http://www.ricardobofill.com/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Bofill_Taller_de_Arquitectura
  • http://www.archdaily.com/294077/the-factory-ricardo-bofill
  • http://www.ricardobofill.com/la-fabrica/read/
La Fábrica (The Factory)
Av. de la Indústria, 14
Sant Just Desvern
Spain
41.381322, 2.068338
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