Architect Turns Old Cement Factory Into His Home, And The Interior Will Take Your Breath Away
Stella BoredPanda staff
When Ricardo Bofill stumbled upon a dilapidated cement factory in 1973, he immediately saw a world of possibilities. La fábrica was born, and almost 45 years later, the structure has been completely transformed into a spectacular and unique home.
The factory, located just outside of Barcelona, was a WWI-era pollution machine that had closed down, and came with many repairs to be done when Ricardo Bofill and his team purchased it. After years of partial deconstruction, the determined architect proceeded to lace the exterior of the property with vegetation, and furnish the interior as a modern living and work space.
La fábrica is a work in progress to this day, to which Bofill likens his own life, as his visions for the future continue to change shape. The industrial chimneys that once filled the air with smoke now overflow with lush greenery, a fine example of the beautiful transformations that result from creative thinking.
More info: Ricardo Bofill
In 1973, Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill purchased a WWI-era cement factory near Barcelona
He immediately saw potential in the building, and began renovating it into his home
After years of partial deconstruction, his team proceeded to furnish the interior as a modern living space
The exterior was laced with vegetation, and now overflows with lush greenery
The structure has been completely transformed into a spectacular and unique home
“The Cement Factory is a place of work par excellence” Bofill writes on his official website
Each room is designed with its own special purpose, and no 2 look quite alike
“I have the impression of living… in a closed universe which protects me from the outside and everyday life” Bofill writes
“Life goes on here in a continuous sequence, with very little difference between work and leisure”
A variety of indoor and outdoor relaxation spots can be found throughout the property
Work space is also a crucial component here, as Bofill’s team uses part of the residence as a studio
The exterior is mostly covered by grass, but also eucalyptus, palm, and olive trees
This gives the building a “mysterious aspect of romantic ruin that makes it unique and unrepeatable”
“The kitchen-dining room located in the ground floor is the meeting point for the family”
Despite its incredible transformation, the factory is still a work in progress to this day
Bufill likens the project’s constant evolution to his own lifestyle and creative visions
La fábrica will always have further work to be done, which is part of its symbolic charm
With enough creative thinking, any space can become something new and beautiful
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What do you think ?
gorgeous... but must cost him $$$$$$ to make it what it is today
Yes, one meeeeellion dollars to be exact.
A lot of money - but a lot more stunning than many other million dollar homes i have seen!
This is in Spain, so it probably hardly cost him any $$ or dollars, but I bet a lot of €€ Euro's have been spent here
One million is not bad for a place like this! Looks incredible!
Especially funny since his name, Blofill...is remarkably similar to James Bond's nemesis, Blowfeld. :)
1 Million dollars is not a lot for this.
he uses part of it as a studio so... business expense???
But, certainly a wonderful re-use of an otherwise worthless bit of property. Have to wonder what would have been the cost of a comparable home built from scratch.
Maybe not. Dilapidated structures are often sold for less than the price of the land alone, since the assumption is that they'll have to be removed before new construction can begin. Then it's just a matter of doing a lot of work yourself. Might have cost less than building a much smaller home from scratch. Also, while the place is striking, the decor is fairly minimalist. Not a lot of material involved. Its great beauty comes from simplicity and I love it. It's inspiring.
And no kids!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Do you use a paypal, in the event if you have you can get an extra 750 a week in your account just working on the laptop for four hours per day. see this link... http://ow.ly/ycYQ309r2ik
Looks like a modern castle. Really cool!
indeed
This man's home is definitely his fortress. His interior designer had a lot of fun too.
He doesn't strike me as someone who would bother with a decorator. The home is very organic and everything plays together beautifully. No matter how hard they try, decorators (or "designers", but that's not a professional designation) can't do that. It's taken him 40-odd years to get the house to where it is now.
KRode, I'm not sure where you are from so maybe things are different there. Bofill is an architect, not merely a designer. I'm not sure if you are confusing the term designer with Interior designer. Here in the states anyone can call themselves a designer as that term is meaningless. I can say I'm a designer of dishes, clothing, even something random and self-created. In Interior Designer (not to be confused with decorator- that also is a term with zero designation) does require accreditation. They can indeed do amazing work! Architects require far more schooling and testing. We are equally and moreso responsible for following building codes and our training supersedes Interior design. We can get licensed as Interior designers with our degrees but they cannot license as architects. Most big mane architects oversee their interior designs. All of this is to say that your post comes off a bit much and leads me to think that you, too, are a bit of a lazy and naive panda.
Sounds like this lazy panda does not know what Designer does. If she thinks a profession that is accredited with a min. bachelor degree is not a real profession than neither is a chef, photographer, mechanic or artist, etc. Designers are responsible for building codes and numerous interior elements beyond color. These details create and enhance spaces beyond what architecture can do. Next time you enter a space that make you feel wonderful, inspired, or comforted (like in a restaurant or Dr's office) that would be because a "designer" was hired to help the owners intentions come to life. What a naive person you are Aunt Messy.
Everyone in this comment thread has gotten somethings right and wrong. Protected terms vary by country and state. In Texas anyone can call themselves a "Designer" or even an "Interior Designer". There is no education or licencing requirement to be either. The protected term is specifically "Registered Interior Designer". To be a "Registered Interior Designer" you need the accredited degree, internship, testing, etc to get licenced by the TBAE. Conversely, there are limits (in Texas) to what an unlicensed designer can do in terms of architectural work but to use the term "Architect" you have to be licensed by the TBAE. Raymond is 100% wrong that architects don't need CEUs to maintain their credentials. All states require some, in Texas it's 12 hours annually. But again all this varies by state.
Raymond, Frank Lloyd Wright was what? Man, never go full retard.
Ignorance personified. Obviously you have never met an ASID Contract (correct term) designer. It's a wonder why architects have hired me and have been the bulk of my business for over 25 years! Please educate yourself....
Aaand Wendy in a bit of a lazy panda too, as it it is within our pervue to design complete buildings up to 10000 square feet after the 2007 institution of new regulations nationally concerning what we can and cant do. Also, Architects dont deal with CEUs in order to maintain their certification. Interior designers must take a certain number of hours in Continuing Education Units pertainong to everything from materials and usage, to updated and revised building codes. Even Frank Lloyd Wright was a interior designer, moreso than an architect. Also, Wendy, Unless you pass the NCIDQ (National Certification for Interior Design Qualification) plus do four years of residency as an apprentice designer with a certified firm, then you most definitely may NOT "call " yourself an interior designer. Plus, lazy, the American regulations for that ceftification are far more stringent than those found internationally. Read up, or shut your mouth.
You wouldn't believe how offensive to the architect this sentence is. He wouldn't need an interior designer simply because he's an architect, it's part of his JOB to DESIGN spaces. Do you really think he would hire some guy to design his own home? Think again because Ricardo Bofill is one of the most important of the contemporary architects in Spain, he's a symbol of the Spanish post modernist movement, this guy would not want an interior designer messing with his concepts and ideas. He's skills are WAY beyond the shallow, superfluous and for the sake of visuals work of interior designers
gorgeous... but must cost him $$$$$$ to make it what it is today
Yes, one meeeeellion dollars to be exact.
A lot of money - but a lot more stunning than many other million dollar homes i have seen!
This is in Spain, so it probably hardly cost him any $$ or dollars, but I bet a lot of €€ Euro's have been spent here
One million is not bad for a place like this! Looks incredible!
Especially funny since his name, Blofill...is remarkably similar to James Bond's nemesis, Blowfeld. :)
1 Million dollars is not a lot for this.
he uses part of it as a studio so... business expense???
But, certainly a wonderful re-use of an otherwise worthless bit of property. Have to wonder what would have been the cost of a comparable home built from scratch.
Maybe not. Dilapidated structures are often sold for less than the price of the land alone, since the assumption is that they'll have to be removed before new construction can begin. Then it's just a matter of doing a lot of work yourself. Might have cost less than building a much smaller home from scratch. Also, while the place is striking, the decor is fairly minimalist. Not a lot of material involved. Its great beauty comes from simplicity and I love it. It's inspiring.
And no kids!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Do you use a paypal, in the event if you have you can get an extra 750 a week in your account just working on the laptop for four hours per day. see this link... http://ow.ly/ycYQ309r2ik
Looks like a modern castle. Really cool!
indeed
This man's home is definitely his fortress. His interior designer had a lot of fun too.
He doesn't strike me as someone who would bother with a decorator. The home is very organic and everything plays together beautifully. No matter how hard they try, decorators (or "designers", but that's not a professional designation) can't do that. It's taken him 40-odd years to get the house to where it is now.
KRode, I'm not sure where you are from so maybe things are different there. Bofill is an architect, not merely a designer. I'm not sure if you are confusing the term designer with Interior designer. Here in the states anyone can call themselves a designer as that term is meaningless. I can say I'm a designer of dishes, clothing, even something random and self-created. In Interior Designer (not to be confused with decorator- that also is a term with zero designation) does require accreditation. They can indeed do amazing work! Architects require far more schooling and testing. We are equally and moreso responsible for following building codes and our training supersedes Interior design. We can get licensed as Interior designers with our degrees but they cannot license as architects. Most big mane architects oversee their interior designs. All of this is to say that your post comes off a bit much and leads me to think that you, too, are a bit of a lazy and naive panda.
Sounds like this lazy panda does not know what Designer does. If she thinks a profession that is accredited with a min. bachelor degree is not a real profession than neither is a chef, photographer, mechanic or artist, etc. Designers are responsible for building codes and numerous interior elements beyond color. These details create and enhance spaces beyond what architecture can do. Next time you enter a space that make you feel wonderful, inspired, or comforted (like in a restaurant or Dr's office) that would be because a "designer" was hired to help the owners intentions come to life. What a naive person you are Aunt Messy.
Everyone in this comment thread has gotten somethings right and wrong. Protected terms vary by country and state. In Texas anyone can call themselves a "Designer" or even an "Interior Designer". There is no education or licencing requirement to be either. The protected term is specifically "Registered Interior Designer". To be a "Registered Interior Designer" you need the accredited degree, internship, testing, etc to get licenced by the TBAE. Conversely, there are limits (in Texas) to what an unlicensed designer can do in terms of architectural work but to use the term "Architect" you have to be licensed by the TBAE. Raymond is 100% wrong that architects don't need CEUs to maintain their credentials. All states require some, in Texas it's 12 hours annually. But again all this varies by state.
Raymond, Frank Lloyd Wright was what? Man, never go full retard.
Ignorance personified. Obviously you have never met an ASID Contract (correct term) designer. It's a wonder why architects have hired me and have been the bulk of my business for over 25 years! Please educate yourself....
Aaand Wendy in a bit of a lazy panda too, as it it is within our pervue to design complete buildings up to 10000 square feet after the 2007 institution of new regulations nationally concerning what we can and cant do. Also, Architects dont deal with CEUs in order to maintain their certification. Interior designers must take a certain number of hours in Continuing Education Units pertainong to everything from materials and usage, to updated and revised building codes. Even Frank Lloyd Wright was a interior designer, moreso than an architect. Also, Wendy, Unless you pass the NCIDQ (National Certification for Interior Design Qualification) plus do four years of residency as an apprentice designer with a certified firm, then you most definitely may NOT "call " yourself an interior designer. Plus, lazy, the American regulations for that ceftification are far more stringent than those found internationally. Read up, or shut your mouth.
You wouldn't believe how offensive to the architect this sentence is. He wouldn't need an interior designer simply because he's an architect, it's part of his JOB to DESIGN spaces. Do you really think he would hire some guy to design his own home? Think again because Ricardo Bofill is one of the most important of the contemporary architects in Spain, he's a symbol of the Spanish post modernist movement, this guy would not want an interior designer messing with his concepts and ideas. He's skills are WAY beyond the shallow, superfluous and for the sake of visuals work of interior designers