Recovery of El Pilar Orchard

Housing Refurbishment

The humble housing of the horticulturists of El Pilar, dating back to the 19th century, consists of two open-plan floors and a sloping roof, with stone walls and wooden floors. The intervention aims to structurally consolidate the existing building, preserve the spatial clarity of its interesting open spaces, and restore the original levels of the building and its relationship between the exterior and interior.

The foundation has been reinforced, the walls sewed, and the original floors recovered. Additional functional elements have been inserted into the spaces, while the exterior courtyard has been redesigned to recreate the original levels, creating an intimate space that seamlessly connects to the ground floor of the housing. This courtyard is separated from the adjacent road by a staggered concrete wall, which allows for the creation of gardens and guides the flowing water that connects the various orchards, leading it to a pond. The constant and relaxing sound of the water refreshes and restores the essence of the original space.

With a site area of 22,222.00 m2 and a built area of 139.86 m2, the Recovery of El Pilar Orchard was designed by Carlos Quevedo Rojas and Carlos Peinado Madueño in 2016, with construction taking place between 2017 and 2018.

This remarkable design has been recognized with the Iron A' Design Award in 2019 in the category of Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design. The award acknowledges well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Recovery of El Pilar Orchard stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.