In Barcelona's Eixample district, Spanish architecture and design firm GCA Architects has transformed a former 19th century industrial factory into a light-filled office space. Combining architectural heritage and contemporary design, the transformation carefully maximizes the building’s aesthetic qualities and functionality, and places an emphasis on energy efficiency.
The refurbishment project provides a new home for the Fundació Bofill (Bofill Foundation), a nonprofit organization promoting and extending educational opportunities to overcome social inequalities in Catalonia. GCA Architects regards projects such as this one as “opportunities to enhance the circular economy of cities by transforming obsolete structures into efficient buildings which unveil the layers of history embedded in them.”
The factory was built in 1850 and stands as a wonderful example of Spanish industrial architecture from the period. GCA Architects carried out a thorough exploration of the building’s many elements and attributes, deciding which to preserve and restore. Decades of renovations resulted in the build-up of numerous layers that had to be peeled away, thereby revealing the factory’s original structure and character. On the exterior, a “meticulous restoration of the façades unveils the minimalist polychromatic beauty of the original stucco,” says the studio.
When refurbishing the factory’s 1,871 square meters (20,139 square feet) of space, GCA Architects incorporated new additions that both respect the building’s heritage and stand in contrast to it. “This creates a clear distinction between the old and the new,” says the studio. “An example of this strategy [can be seen in] the brick walls and wooden beams, which have been reinforced structurally with steel additions painted dark grey.” In meeting rooms, materials with chrome tones add a contemporary edge to the industrial skin.
“The rhythm of the structure and windows of the existing building is emphasized by the transversal insertion of technical lighting and installations,” says the studio. Old meets new throughout the building, the transformation one that maintains the factory’s industrious essence. The recent additions made by GCA Architects enhance the space, however it is the building’s history that is very much front and center.
The client’s brief requested flexibility across the working environment. In one example, the use of movable panels and curtains allows for the reconfiguration of a 250-square-meter (2,691-square-feet) ground floor event space. A retractable projection surface transforms the space into a screening room. GCA Architects maintained the original staircase, linking co-working areas on the upper floors with ground floor facilities, including a kitchen, reception area, and garden.
Having completed Spain’s first “smart” building in Barcelona’s Poblenou district, sustainability is an important factor in projects undertaken by GCA Architects. “The renovation has transformed the old factory into a highly energy-efficient building, achieving the highest energy efficiency rating — an A rating,” says the studio. To further increase efficiency and reduce energy costs, the studio installed 32 photovoltaic panels.
Thinking about the project as a whole, GCA Architects reflects: “This transformative refurbishment project not only revitalizes a historic building but also celebrates the dynamic interplay between past and present, harmoniously weaving together architectural heritage and contemporary design."
