The world is full of extraordinary and wonderful homes, but some are so unique that they deserve special attention.
Can you imagine turning an abandoned cement factory into a beautiful and relaxing home?
That’s exactly what the talented architect Ricardo Bofill did with a cement factory located outside Barcelona, Spain!
In 1973, Bofill stumbled upon La Fabrica, an old unused cement factory on the outskirts of Barcelona.
He saw endless possibilities in that building and decided to turn it into a home.
The discovery would transform both the structure and the architect.
Over the years, the factory became the center of Bofill’s private and professional life, undergoing changes that respected the building’s heritage.
The renovation was a massive project, as the cement factory included 30 silos, a chimney, huge machine halls, and 4 kilometers of underground tunnels, along with various large spaces for massive equipment and machinery.
Bofill spent the first year and eight months of the project deconstructing the space and, ultimately, building living spaces and an architecture studio on an area of 3,000 square meters.
The World War I-era cement factory went through post-war industrialization in Catalonia.
Changes in industrial processes led to modifications to the original structure, creating a mix of architectural styles.
Bofill decided to remove some of them in the restructuring process.
Stripping layers of the building allowed Bofill to rebuild a part of it.
Some sections were preserved, while others were completely demolished.
In the end, only eight of the original 30 silos were preserved and freed from all the cement and debris.
After years of partial deconstruction, La Fabrica is now a comfortable home with all the conveniences of modern living.
From a harsh and cold industrial structure, Bofill created a home with spacious living areas, libraries, lush gardens, and inviting bedrooms.
He shared: „Currently, I live and work here better than anywhere else.
It is the only place where I can focus and connect ideas more abstractly.“
The former industrial complex is divided into four different areas: an architecture studio, an exhibition hall, gardens, and a residential area.
As a true artist, Bofill considers La Fabrica as a piece of sculpture.
He said: „The factory is a magical place, whose strange atmosphere is difficult to grasp for an untrained eye.
I like that life here is perfectly planned, ritualized, in total contrast to my tumultuous nomadic life.“
The architect adds: „The cement factory is a workplace par excellence.“
No space is like another; each has its unique design and purpose.
„I have the feeling of living in a closed universe that protects me from the outside world and daily life.
Life here continues in a continuous sequence, with very few differences between work and leisure,“ Bofill said.
As a home, La Fabrica is also reclaimed by nature.
The exterior is covered in vegetation and is currently full of lush greenery, including eucalyptus trees, palms, and olive trees.
According to Bofill, this gives the building the „mysterious appearance of a romantic ruin, making it unique and unrepeatable.“
The silos are now covered in vines that blur the boundaries between the factory’s previous and current functions.
Once barely habitable, La Fabrica is now an architectural masterpiece.
Formerly used for cement and powder production, it is now a unique and beautiful space, both inside and out.
The house is proof that creativity can transform the most unusual spaces into a cozy place.
Still considered a work in progress, this warm and welcoming home remains an extraordinary example of converted industrial design.
Watch the video here and take a virtual tour of this stunning house!