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Casa Salazón
Casa Salazón
Girona, CT, Spain
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Other Projects by ROS + FALGUERA ARQUITECTURA
Casa Salazón
Girona, CT, Spain
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
BUDGET
$100K - 500K
Photos
This sustainable house in front of the sea is a restored sardine salting facility located in Colera, a village on the Catalan coast. Originally built in the early 20th century, this building was a product of the cooperative movement that swept through Catalonia, where workers united their efforts to create functional spaces with minimal resources. Using simple, locally available materials like stone and ceramics, the facility’s original builders used arches and compression techniques to construct a durable structure despite a low budget.
After years of abandonment and decay, the salting facility had fallen into a state of disrepair, marked by structural damage and excessive humidity. Ros Falguera Architecture was tasked with its restoration, using advanced technologies such as finite element modeling to analyze the building's structural integrity. Interestingly, the biggest challenge was not the weight or resistance of the building but the possibility that strong winds could create suction, potentially lifting the roof off. By understanding and reinforcing the building’s original construction logic, the architects secured the roof, preserving the building’s structural integrity.
Ros Falguera focused in reusing local materials such as brick, ceramics, and stone in this housing project, not only because of the preservation of the building's historical identity but also for its commitment to sustainability. These materials, abundant in the region and traditionally used in Catalan architecture, were originally selected for their affordability, availability, and durability. By choosing to restore the sardine salting facility with these same materials, Ros Falguera Architecture preserved the cultural and architectural heritage of the early 20th century cooperative movement, while also minimizing the environmental impact of the project.
Reusing brick, ceramics, and stone reduces the carbon footprint of the renovation, as there is no need for the energy-intensive processes of producing or transporting new materials. These materials, particularly when sourced locally, reduce transportation costs and emissions, aligning the project with modern sustainability goals. Additionally, brick, ceramics, and stone are inherently durable and long-lasting, requiring less maintenance over time and contributing to the building's longevity.
The restoration also focused on natural light. The team uncovered bricked-up windows that had previously limited daylight, working meticulously like miners to restore these openings. This provided the interior with sufficient lighting, enhancing the building's habitability.
In terms of landscaping, the architects honored the building’s Mediterranean setting by preserving and restoring local vegetation. The garden was filled with drought-resistant, salt-tolerant native species, harmonizing the house with its surroundings while reducing the need for irrigation.
One of the most significant decisions was to avoid the temptation of modernizing the building with large aluminum windows or disruptive architectural additions. Instead, the project embraced the historical significance of the structure, ensuring that the house blends with its environment without compromising its heritage or sustainability.
This restoration is not just a return to the past, but a thoughtful adaptation to the present, where using local, time-tested materials offers both ecological benefits and a continuity of cultural craftsmanship. The project stands as a testament to how the wisdom of traditional construction methods can be integrated with modern technology to create spaces that are both sustainable and deeply rooted in their surroundings.
The result is a responsible, harmonious home that both respects the past and looks forward to a sustainable future.
After years of abandonment and decay, the salting facility had fallen into a state of disrepair, marked by structural damage and excessive humidity. Ros Falguera Architecture was tasked with its restoration, using advanced technologies such as finite element modeling to analyze the building's structural integrity. Interestingly, the biggest challenge was not the weight or resistance of the building but the possibility that strong winds could create suction, potentially lifting the roof off. By understanding and reinforcing the building’s original construction logic, the architects secured the roof, preserving the building’s structural integrity.
Ros Falguera focused in reusing local materials such as brick, ceramics, and stone in this housing project, not only because of the preservation of the building's historical identity but also for its commitment to sustainability. These materials, abundant in the region and traditionally used in Catalan architecture, were originally selected for their affordability, availability, and durability. By choosing to restore the sardine salting facility with these same materials, Ros Falguera Architecture preserved the cultural and architectural heritage of the early 20th century cooperative movement, while also minimizing the environmental impact of the project.
Reusing brick, ceramics, and stone reduces the carbon footprint of the renovation, as there is no need for the energy-intensive processes of producing or transporting new materials. These materials, particularly when sourced locally, reduce transportation costs and emissions, aligning the project with modern sustainability goals. Additionally, brick, ceramics, and stone are inherently durable and long-lasting, requiring less maintenance over time and contributing to the building's longevity.
The restoration also focused on natural light. The team uncovered bricked-up windows that had previously limited daylight, working meticulously like miners to restore these openings. This provided the interior with sufficient lighting, enhancing the building's habitability.
In terms of landscaping, the architects honored the building’s Mediterranean setting by preserving and restoring local vegetation. The garden was filled with drought-resistant, salt-tolerant native species, harmonizing the house with its surroundings while reducing the need for irrigation.
One of the most significant decisions was to avoid the temptation of modernizing the building with large aluminum windows or disruptive architectural additions. Instead, the project embraced the historical significance of the structure, ensuring that the house blends with its environment without compromising its heritage or sustainability.
This restoration is not just a return to the past, but a thoughtful adaptation to the present, where using local, time-tested materials offers both ecological benefits and a continuity of cultural craftsmanship. The project stands as a testament to how the wisdom of traditional construction methods can be integrated with modern technology to create spaces that are both sustainable and deeply rooted in their surroundings.
The result is a responsible, harmonious home that both respects the past and looks forward to a sustainable future.
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