[Undeveloped project]
The Factory of El Catllar, in Camp de Tarragona, was a project promoted jointly by the cooperatives The Factory in Transition i Sostre Cívic, which we collaborated in the reactivation of this heritage with the aim of developing different initiatives and uses in the Factory with parameters of the solidarity economy.
In this framework, Sostre Cívic promoted a cooperative housing project in right of use for the elderly (senior cohabitation) and the La Fàbrica en Transició cooperative promoted a FabLab, a co-working space and also a cooperative housing project in right of use.
The cooperative housing project for the elderly was considered as the first phase of the rehabilitation of La Fàbrica de El Catllar, a currently abandoned heritage site that has a high historical, social and architectural value, and which is located in a very stimulating ecological and landscape environment.
For this first phase, we proposed 25 homes for the elderly in the form of protected homes, and under a right of use regime, with a wide provision of collective spaces.
Cooperative co-housing project for the elderly
The project was conceived to respond to the particular problem of affordable and adapted housing for the elderly, proposing a model of collective property ownership. This new model proposes an active aging where the participation of the users in the democratic governance of the promotion, from the design to the management of the community itself, becomes central.
The project contemplated the reconstruction of one of the buildings of the factory complex, the Nau Vella (La Teixidora) to make 25 sheltered homes, framed in the sectoral regulations of the Generalitat on this form of subsidized housing.
Private spaces (apartments) with basic services and reduced space were proposed, and on the contrary, large collective spaces and shared services, which constituted up to 30% of the built surface. As always in our projects, we prioritized collective space and meeting places to promote community and mutual support. A project was proposed that implemented criteria of sustainability and energy efficiency, and which was at the same time respectful of the architectural, historical and social value of the site.
The Factory
The factory complex of El Catllar it consists of three existing buildings, the Old Nau, the New Nau and the Colonia, currently abandoned. The activity at La Fàbrica began with a mill to harness the power of the river, which was expanded in successive constructions throughout the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries; when it became an economic and social engine in the municipality and the territory for the production of paper and fabrics. It was at the end of the XNUMXth century when it was abandoned.
What is the status of the project now?
Currently, our collaboration with La Fàbrica en Transició has ended, and the senior project of El Catllar not still active.
But the project at the factory complex continues, with plans to turn it into cooperative housing and spaces for coworking i FabLab. If you want more information, you can consult the project page and get in touch with La Fàbrica en Transició.