Hotel Masía Can Farrés is located within the Sierra de Montserrat Natural Park, a protected landscape northwest of Barcelona. The project involves the rehabilitation of a 15th-century farmhouse into a rural hotel, accompanied by landscape interventions that respond to the site’s cultural, agricultural, and geological context. The design by scob architecture and landscape prioritises minimal intervention, low-carbon construction methods, and alignment with local environmental conditions.
Landscape strategy rooted in local geology
The intervention employs materials tied to the geological character of Montserrat. Conglomerate stone, typical of the region’s sedimentary rock formations, is used for paths, retaining edges, and seating elements. Its use reduces transportation distances and visually aligns the hotel grounds with the surrounding cliffs.
Complementary materials include ceramic elements referencing regional agricultural infrastructure and metal trellises traditionally used in local farming. These components structure outdoor gathering areas while maintaining a restrained material palette. Their placement follows existing circulation patterns across the sloping terrain and provides passive shading for guest terraces.
Reinforcing the architecture-landscape relationship
The design reinforces the relationship between rural Catalan architecture and its agricultural setting. Existing stone walls, courtyards, and circulation routes were retained where possible, limiting demolition and associated material loss. New pathways and exterior rooms follow the original farm geometry, maintaining continuity between the restored farmhouse and its landscape.
Outdoor uses, including dining areas, seating courtyards, and promenades, are arranged to preserve mature vegetation and maintain long-range views towards the Montserrat massif. The rehabilitated farmhouse is integrated into the broader ecological and visual context of the natural park.
Environmental performance and resource management
Environmental measures focus on material selection, ecological preservation, and resource management. The use of local stone, clay, and ceramic components reduces transport- and construction-related emissions. Native Mediterranean vegetation is maintained and supplemented, limiting irrigation demand and enhancing biodiversity. Permeable pathways and discreet drainage channels support groundwater infiltration while maintaining existing hydrological patterns.
Construction avoided major earthworks, preserving soil stability and limiting habitat disturbance. Where new elements were required, durable materials were used to support long-term use and maintenance. The project’s approach favours low-impact interventions, consistent with the protected status of the natural park.
Cultural resonance and place identity
The landscape design references the cultural context of Montserrat through material and spatial choices. Stones, ceramics, trellises, and preserved vegetation draw on the region’s agricultural history, anchoring the hotel within its historic setting. Views towards the mountain peaks, the monastery, and the surrounding forests frame the site within its broader geographical context.
