Project Overview
Valldaura Labs, designed by Guallart Architects, is a pioneering project to create a Self-Sufficient Habitat Laboratory under the auspices of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. Situated in the heart of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, within the natural Park of Collserola, the project aims to revitalize a three-storey farmhouse dating back to 1888, which was in a state of disrepair.
Preservation and Rehabilitation Strategy
The rehabilitation strategy focused on preserving the original farmhouse structure while integrating new, sustainable spaces underground and around the existing building. This approach minimizes impact on the landscape while revitalizing the complex.
Functional Layout
The building houses rooms for students and teachers of the Master in IAAC Advanced Ecological Buildings on the upper floors. The ground floor includes a dining room and staff spaces, all faithfully rehabilitated to maintain the original structure.
Green Fab Lab and Energy Solutions
A notable feature of Valldaura Labs is the Green Fab Lab, constructed under the plaza using large-scale brick vaults to allow natural light into the space. Adjacent to the lab is a carpentry and a biomass plant that energetically sustains the building.
Sustainable Materials and Technologies
The rehabilitation utilized recycled old brick and wood to ensure material continuity throughout the complex. The windows were rehabilitated in the laboratory’s carpentry. The project also includes the Energrid initiative, focused on the Internet of Energy, which involves distributed energy production and measurement of small consumption units. Additionally, the project incorporates five water reservoirs of various qualities to apply the principle of the Internet of Water.
Holistic Sustainability Goals
Beyond the farmhouse walls, Valldaura Labs aims to develop a self-sufficient habitat that produces all necessary energy, a significant portion of its food, and generates wood from the forest for construction and biomass fuel. This holistic vision extends to integrating the building with its environment, promoting sustainability in all aspects of its operations.
In conclusion, Valldaura Labs Rehabilitation is a testament to innovative sustainable design and rehabilitation, integrating historical preservation with modern ecological principles to create a model for self-sufficiency and environmental harmony.
