Forty years ago, architect Ricardo Bofill found a disused cement factory, an industrial complex from the turn of the century consisting of over 30 silos, subterranean galleries and huge machine rooms. He decided to transform it into the head office of his firm, Taller de Arquitectura. The factory was partially in ruins and was a laundry list of surrealist elements: stairs that climbed up to nowhere, mighty reinforced concrete structures that sustained nothing, pieces of iron hanging in the air, huge empty spaces filled up with magic. The torn down many of the silos and once the spaces had been redefined the process began of adaptation began. Eight of the silos remained. They became offices, a models laboratory, archives, a library, a projections room and a gigantic space known as “The Cathedral”, used for exhibitions, concerts and a whole range of cultural functions. The complex stands in the midst of gardens with eucalyptus, palms, olive trees and cypresses, like the set of fantastic movie that is difficult to tell if it is set in the past or in the future. I love reclaimed spaces. My ex and I adapted a turn-of-the-century gothic revival church into a home and eight years ago I bought a converted barn that I now live in, when I’m not in the city. I spend as much time as I can there (was just there for three weeks!) But I have to say, if I had my choice of all of the spaces on earth I could live, I think this might just be at the top of my list. I think could live here 1000 years and never tire of it. (Photos, Ricardo Bofill)
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