Cement Factory Ruins Transformed Into Castle-Like Home in Barcelona

Abandoned factories often look to me like abandoned castles: grandiose in size, with silos resembling turrets, and ominous defensive structures of unspecified purpose left to remind us of days long past. Perhaps architect Ricardo Bofill shares this idea -- in 1973, he purchased an abandoned turn-of-the-century cement factory in Barcelona and commenced a two-year renovation to transform it into a spectacular office and residence.

Cement Factory, Architecture, Ricardo Bofill, Barcelona, repurposed architecture, repurposed factory, green renovation, sustainable design, green design, green building

Simply dubbed the Cement Factory, the complex hosts Bofill’s architectural offices, archives, a model laboratory, exhibition space, his personal apartment, guest rooms, and extensive gardens. The property was originally comprised of 30 silos, gigantic engine rooms and many underground structures. However Bofill’s renovations look as if he simply shaved away part of the existing structures, removing certain elements and buildings to reveal previously unexposed textures beneath.

The factory possessed both Brutalist and Surrealist elements, which Bofill used as inspiration. The harsh silos were planted with ivy and transformed into The Cathedral. The factory’s front lot was planted with beautiful gardens, which include eucalyptus, palm trees, olive trees and cypresses.

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9 Comments

Artie June 1, 2011 at 10:50 am

Thats not just logic. Thats rlealy sensible.
Idalia June 1, 2011 at 10:47 am

You’ve hit the ball out the park! Incerdible!
Jaydee June 1, 2011 at 10:19 am

I bow down humbly in the persnece of such greatness.
Fleta June 1, 2011 at 9:40 am

Got it! Thanks a lot again for helnpig me out!
Gracelyn May 31, 2011 at 9:53 pm

Snouds great to me BWTHDIK
labritablue April 24, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I love to see how a monument of failed production has been transformed into an area for creative work. Thanks.
ozzieherr April 20, 2011 at 3:42 pm

This is simply unbelievable. How inspiring.
fwright January 28, 2011 at 9:52 am

Stunning. I’ve never seen detestable Brutalist architecture transformed and softened like this it to make it graceful and elegant, and above all, human again.
feng shui at work January 27, 2011 at 3:01 pm

Thank you for a great article. Very impressive. I was planning to find a warehouse to turn into a home/ business. You just gave me a great idea though this is for sure not a cheap undertaking – yet either way it is inspiring and mind opening.