Design must respect and enhance the beauty of a setting in a dialogue between architecture and the landscape, managing to highlight the characteristics of both. But how can we do that with an old building? What are the challenges we must address when renovating it? How do we interact with the story behind it?
These are the questions Metàl·lics Cabratosa asks when commissioned to work on a project. The company specializes in windows and metal elements and boasts years of experience working with historical structures and adapting them to new functions. Its architects are passionate about managing the complexity behind projects, handling customer needs, and offering the highest quality.
A key piece to keep in mind is what use a building will have. In many cases, the use will be quite different from the original one. Not only do spaces need to be adapted to new needs, but they must also be designed to be comfortable, safe, and durable. Architectural design should be highly respectful of a building's character when we want to incorporate new elements alongside pre-existing ones. When preparing for a project, choosing the materials and systems that will be used is just as important as working with companies that have vast experience and technical knowledge and are capable of showcasing a building's history.
The Mas Riells house is a good example of renovation in which tradition and innovation coexist elegantly. The Metàl·lics Cabratosa team has dedicated countless hours and work towards making the design by Dutch architect Ron Van der Vliet a reality. Together, they converted the vestiges of a house that was in ruins into a modern home where glass plays a key role along with ancient elements such as stone.
From a distance, the house maintains the appearance and shape of a farmhouse yet, once inside, you realize that there is a new story to discover. A spacious and bright house has been created inside the renovated structure, with careful attention to detail thanks to the technology, design, and innovation of the materials. Steel and glass constructions are key. Atypically large windows flood the interior with light and strengthen the connection with the exterior. This is achieved with the use of Cor-Ten steel, a material that reinforces stone walls while fitting large-size insulating windows that provide energy efficiency and sound insulation. It's a veritable bond between tradition and technology that only Metàl·lics Cabratosa can provide.
