The activity of the landfill site has led to unfriendly topographical alterations and modifications in the natural environment. For this reason, we decided to establish the facilities in those areas where the activity of the landfill had already damaged the natural environment.
Despite the size of the plant facilities, it is intended to achieve the highest landscape integration with the environment. In order to achieve this goal, we pursue a high topographical adaptation, where the impact from roofs and facades is minimized by the subsequent landscape restoration.
The building uses the water and energy generated by the Plant itself. The water comes mostly from the collection of rainwater and the energy needed is obtained from the biogas generated by the waste materials found at the neighboring Coll Cardús landfill site.
The project involves the construction of two large treatment areas under a large roof. These areas, separated by a driveway, are different in height and they sit at different levels. That is the reason why the roof changes its geometry according to the programs and dimensions of each precinct.
The roof will cover a variety of requirements: forced air vents, skylights, etc., and they will blend together by the use of a graphic structure that may be transformed into a landscape roof.
The different circles contain earth, gravel, and native groundcovers and shrubs. Over time, they will balance the impact of the facility without resorting to camouflage or mimicry.
Credit / image : Francisco Urrutia.
Official name of the project:
WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY FROM VALLÈS OCCIDENTAL IN VACARISSES (BARCELONA)
Location: Vacarisses (Barcelona).
Customer: Consorci per a la Gestió dels Residus del Vallès Occidental.
Architects / Designers: Enric Batlle Durany (arch.) and Joan Roig i Duran (arch.) Batlle & Roig Architects.
Collaborators: Xavier Ramoneda, architect, Mario Suñer, architect, IDEMA engineering.
Project date: 2008
Project end date: 2010
Area: 45.000m2
Builder: UTE CTR-VALLEYS (HERA, FCC and Urbaser)
Budget: 74.000.000€
Landscape architects: Enric Batlle Durany and Joan Roig i Duran.
Lighting design: Lourdes Romeo, architect.