Located on a slope of the Cadí Moixeró Natural Park, the area was chosen as the site of the Asland cement factory in 1904 because of its proximity to water, coal, and stone. The transportation difficulties between the factory and the city of Barcelona led to the construction of a new industrial complex in the city of Barcelona in 1917 which eventually led to the closing of the factory in Casellar de n'Hug. Despite the historic interest of the previous architecture (a fine example of Catalan brick-vaulted ceilings by Rafael Guastavino) and the magnificence of the surrounding landscape, the site is currently in an advanced state of decline. However, due to the improvements in the transportation infrastructure in recent years, an opportunity for reactivating the complex emerges.
In the desire to preserve the former industrial structures, the old cement factory is reprogrammed with two synergistic activities: a culinary center and a factory museum. Both programs aspire to reactivate an area with enormous architectural and landscape potential.
The intervention focuses on two architectural elements: a floor and a walkway. On the one hand, the floor spreads like white liquid among the ruins and provides the necessary infrastructure for the culinary school to function. At the same time, it leaves the ceramic vaults and walls intact, preserving the essence of the existing factory. After the floor is built, the seventeen levels of the factory will be unified and reduced to seven, increasing the accessibility of the site. On the other hand, the walkway rises above the cooking school, providing a unique experience of seeing a culinary school functioning.
The project was published in Postindustrial Landscapes ISBN 978-1-304-31060-6. Check out the publication with the rest of the plans and documentation here. The Culinary School was awarded 1st Prize Schindler Awards 4th Edition.