In 2017 we were commissioned for designing a building like a winery, but for the production of organic oil in Les Garrigues region, in Catalonia. It is  a unique hilly landscape thanks to its different fields of olive trees, its forests and its stone terraces. These terraces were built with natural stone in order to cultivate the land in this sloping terrain.

The place chosen to build the oil mill was on a hill formed by residual terraces with few possibilities for exploitation and with stone walls in poor condition. At the top, however, two rock groups stood out with sculptural character and framing spectacular 360º panoramic views.. 

The challenge consisted in designing a project that did not alter the secular values of this landscape and environment.

For this purpose, the project is based on two different strategies. On the one hand, 90% of the building is hidden through a staggered layout of its program, adapting it to the original terraces and restoring the stone walls, now transformed into the façade of the oil mill.

On the other hand, the remaining 10% of the building makes a difference. It is a complementary volume to the mill. This is the reception space where you can buy and taste the gourmet products made by the property and the place where you can start the guided tour of the interior of the building. The reception pavilion is located at the top of the hill between two existing sculptural rock groups and enjoying the panoramic views. It is the only visible volume and becomes a landmark, based on a unique and light construction that seeks to be very neutral so as not to compete with the rocks in its surroundings.

STRATEGY 01:

Reducing the visual impact of the proposal. The building is buried and stepped according to the original topography.

Current state, abandoned agricultural land / Above-ground volume that the regulations allow 00m3

Proposal, Stepped building according to topography and original terraces / A single volume located above ground that is equivalent to 10% of the total volume of the building. Organic volume between rock sets. Above-ground volume 00m3.

STRATEGY 02:

Reduction of the ecological footprint. Utilization of waste. We reuse all the excavation to make the stone facades of the building and the plant covers and slopes from the earth from the excavation itself.

Topsoil and rocks_Collection of excavation material. / Reuse_ Construction of façades and plant covers.

STRATEGY 03:

Reduction of energy demand. For cold oil production we need to guarantee a stable temperature of 18ºC. We take advantage of the thermal inertia of the rock resulting from the excavation to guarantee a stable temperature without the need from active systems.