laboqueria taller d’arquitectura . photos: © Rural Modernos
This structural rehabilitation and thermal conditioning project transforms a hut into an autonomous and comfortable refuge, completely integrated into its natural environment. Located in an area isolated from any urban centre, the intervention provides the building with self-sufficient systems for electricity, domestic hot water (DHW) and drainage, thus guaranteeing its functionality and sustainability in a remote context.
The hut is one of the characteristic elements of popular architecture in Segarra. Its main function was to serve as a shelter for the peasant and his animals, protecting them from the inclement weather during their day in the fields. These buildings, predominantly of modern and contemporary times, are an integral part of the landscape of Segarra, adding cultural and heritage value to the environment.
This project seeks to revitalise the rural territory, providing an infrastructure that is respectful of the environment and consistent with the needs of life in the countryside. The main objectives have been clear: to create comfortable spaces making the most of the uses, to preserve the pre-existing architecture and to enhance the thermal performance of the construction. This work is complemented by strategies that integrate vernacular materials such as wood, stone and lime mortar, generating a harmonious coexistence between the traditional and the contemporary.
In addition, the project is part of a broader desire to promote rural repopulation and sustainability, adapting to climate change and seeking to generate opportunities for a dignified life in the countryside. Through this intervention, it is intended not only to revitalize the environment, but also to create a model of good practices that can be replicated in other rural areas, promoting comprehensive development that offers decent housing, community cohesion, agricultural diversification and stable jobs.
With a surface area of 50 m², the cabin becomes a simple and functional space that responds to both current needs for habitability and respect for architectural heritage. Thermal performance is optimized through careful conditioning, taking advantage of the natural properties of the materials for stable interior comfort in any season of the year.
The result is a refuge that combines the simplicity of rural life with the comforts of a modern, self-contained building. The cabin is an example of sustainable and respectful rehabilitation, which honors its roots while promoting a responsible and replicable model of rural development.
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