Concrete Paradise
What a beautiful building, La Fabrica was an abandoned cement works until architect Ricardo Bofill made it home. The structure is giant, Bofill found the place in 1973 and it's been a labour of love to transform the cavernous space over the years into a home and studio. Located in the outskirts of Barcelona, this structure resides in a city full of architectural wonders. I visited when I was about 18 on a college photography trip, it was pretty wonderful. Gaudi's buildings seem to organically grow from the pavement, in vibrant fairytale hues, shimmering as if covered in dragon-like scales. The more traditional gothic architecture was captivating, me and my SLR snapped away, wandering down the narrow streets, filled with the sites and smells of Catalonia. A lovely time that has given me an appreciation for the city and its strong ties with design. The concrete works could be a barren and cold place but with arches softening the vertical lines and greenery cov...