Alliance, passion, and dedication in the art of building rehabilitation
Seeing the complicity and connection that Massimo Preziosi and Quim Ortega share is easy after the first impression they make. With enthusiastic gestures, these two friends are united by a common passion: architecture. Years ago, their paths crossed at an architectural studio in Barcelona, where they collaborated with other partners on numerous projects. Since then, they have maintained an excellent personal and professional relationship. Each works from their own office on their respective projects and, when the opportunity arises, they collaborate closely and complement each other as if they were an extension of one another. Today we have spoken with them to learn about their admiration for rehabilitating buildings with history.
“For us, every building has a story to tell”, states Massimo Preziosi animatedly. Quim nods and adds: “We like working with Núñez i Navarro in Barcelona because they are a client open to discussing ideas about the rehabilitation of their buildings. When they have a clear vision, they go all out with the goal of improving people's surroundings.”
Massimo Preziosi describes Quim Ortega as a tireless architect. He notes that, unlike his more theoretical education in Italy, "Quim tends to focus on the architectural object and materials, a fundamental aspect in renovations."For his part, Quim describes Massimo as an architect who represents that subtle, not so visible, but critical part of any project. He usually starts by researching and gathering information to understand the essence of the place. In creative moments, the ideas of both are interchangeable and they collaborate effectively without their egos interfering. Quim points out that: "although sometimes we have differences, we work very well as a team."
Afterwards, they both explain how they develop each project commissioned by their clients, including Grup Núñez i Navarro. It varies depending on each one's workload. "If one of us is more tied up, the other takes the lead and vice versa", Quim states to assure that the creative phase is not a linear process, but rather has its ups and downs until a decision is reached. "Often, Massimo makes quick progress on a project, and then I step in and dismantle what's been done and give it a different approach, or the other way around. And that's how we develop the process."
True sustainability lies in rehabilitation
Según ellos, la palabra “rehabilitar” puede tener varios significados. “Depende del interés del cliente y de lo que se quiera desarrollar en el proyecto”, manifiesta Quim. A veces, ambos pueden sugerir aspectos de la rehabilitación que no se habían considerado en un inicio, dándole un sentido más profundo a la reforma. Massimo también comenta que, desde un punto de vista intelectual, le resulta mucho más interesante trabajar con un edificio ya construido. Afirma que la mente trabaja mejor sobre un objeto existente, ya que resulta estimulante adaptar el proyecto a algo ya existente. “La verdadera sostenibilidad está en la rehabilitación, ya que las ciudades no pueden seguir expandiéndose hasta el infinito y es necesario trabajar con lo que ya existe”, sentencia.
The challenges of building rehabilitation in Barcelona
Quim Ortega points out that the difficulties in rehabilitation projects in Barcelona vary greatly, depending on the building, its age, and how it was constructed, as each one has its peculiarities. "Even from a professional ego standpoint, it's very interesting to change the facade of nondescript buildings from the 70s. Restoring a historic building, on the other hand, involves returning its beauty, although it doesn't allow much room for making changes", explains Massimo Preziosi.
Both assert that Núñez i Navarro is the ideal client. "They have a great capacity and technical knowledge. They have very clear expectations in many cases. They are very direct as clients which makes it easier to work with them. They are as strict as we are in the development of projects and that quality makes us complement each other well". Massimo adds that previous experience as a construction company "facilitates our communication, as it is not a client unfamiliar with the construction world but quite the opposite. They clearly understand the processes and construction methods".
From the buildings they have renovated in Barcelona, they have learned several lessons. They are passionate about what they do and link it to a concept that motivates them: sustainability. Quim Ortega adds: "When a building becomes obsolete, we ask ourselves why demolish it if it can be repurposed. If there is a possibility to save energy and materials by reusing what already exists, why not do it? It's about improving what is going to be replaced."
Both Massimo and Quim share the same architectural approach. In their projects, they seek simple, straightforward, and balanced solutions. They mention that although they are open to exploring more striking alternatives if the client wishes, they generally prefer to offer well-thought-out and serene solutions. A good example of this approach is the office building Marina Factory which they refurbished on the Rambla de la Marina in L'Hospitalet. Preziosi explains that they were originally only commissioned to work on the facade, but upon analyzing the building they discovered that the internal structure needed organization. They proposed redoing the stairs and adding new elevators, which transformed the existing building into a well-ordered new one. Specifically, they focused on reorganizing the vertical communications, such as the stairs and new courtyards, as well as the common areas. He also mentions that they played with colors in the design, assigning a different color code to each of the five floors.
The evolution of prefabrication
One of the recurring strategies in their projects is the interest in the industrialization of the construction process, to make it more efficient and safe. In two of the comprehensive facade renovations of office buildings carried out for the Group, both with a high degree of obsolescence and poor thermal and acoustic insulation (Gran Via 641 and Diputación 303), three-dimensional prefabricated concrete panels have been used.
Through close collaboration with other companies in the sector, modular elements have been designed whose rapid assembly has allowed for significant savings in the execution of the work. The great advantage of these latest generation panels is the reduced amount of concrete used (only 4 cm thick compared to the prefabricated panels from the 1970s, which were 10-12 cm), an internal structure made with recycled steel, and, thanks to their stone-like appearance, their great ability to blend into the urban environment of the nineteenth-century Eixample district in Barcelona.
Advice for young architects on architectural rehabilitation
For young architects facing a rehabilitation project for the first time, Quim recommends the following: "It is crucial to understand the history of the building: what has happened to it, how it was constructed, how many times it has been rehabilitated. Researching in archives and knowing its history is essential."
Our residences at Carrer Ample 11-13 could be a good example of what has been expressed due to the specific considerations and methodologies that this project required. Massimo Preziosi explains that tackling a project of this kind involved dialogue with the Barcelona City Council due to the heritage protection of the building. Changing the building's use, which was ultimately the site of the Elisava school and originally the Mercantile Credit Society, to convert it into housing involved numerous discussions with the Heritage Department. "We are talking about a building that received an architecture award in 1900, a fact that adds great value to the rehabilitation project."
Within the European context, both architects consider that Barcelona is on the same level as other cities such as London or Paris. "In terms of the rehabilitation of historical heritage, more or less the same thing is being done as in our environment," clarifies Massimo Preziosi. The two architects share a firm conviction: preserving the memory of buildings through their revitalization is the most effective and sustainable strategy, thus transcending the fleeting trends that sometimes invade architecture.
