Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP

Waste Treatment Facility

Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia

WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY

Batlle & Roig Architects

YEAR
2010

AREA
45.0 m2

LOCATION
Somalia

CATEGORY
Industrial Architecture

Text description provided by architect.

The Waste Treatment Facility (CTRV, in Spanish) is located on a hillside overlooking the Coll Cardús massif in the municipality of Vacarisses, in the district of the Vallès Occidental. This site is currently taken up by a controlled waste landfill site nearing its capacity limit.

Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia
Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia

This fact has caused its managing body to consider regulating the closure of the facility and to study possible future uses for the area. The choice of the location of the CTRV has also taken into account different criteria of logistical and economic suitability, as well as the minimization of the environmental impact resulting from the installation and operation of waste management-related activities.

The activity of the landfill site has led to unfriendly topographical alterations and modifications in the natural environment. For this reason, we decided to establish the facilities in those areas where the activity of the landfill had already damaged the natural environment.

Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia
Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia

Despite the size of the plant facilities, it is intended to achieve the highest landscape integration with the environment. In order to achieve this goal, we pursue a high topographical adaptation, where the impact from roofs and facades is minimized by the subsequent landscape restoration.

The building uses the water and energy generated by the Plant itself. The water comes mostly from the collection of rainwater and the energy needed is obtained from the biogas generated by the waste materials found at the neighboring Coll Cardús landfill site.

Waste Treatment Facility
Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia

The project involves the construction of two large treatment areas under a large roof. These areas, separated by a driveway, are different in height and they sit at different levels. That is the reason why the roof changes its geometry according to the programs and dimensions of each precinct.

The roof will cover a variety of requirements: forced air vents, skylights, etc., and they will blend together by the use of a graphic structure that may be transformed into a landscape roof.

The different circles contain earth, gravel, and native groundcovers and shrubs. Over time, they will balance the impact of the facility without resorting to camouflage or mimicry.

Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia
Waste Treatment Facility
© Francisco Urrutia


Waste Treatment Facility
Roof Axon
Waste Treatment Facility
Exploded Axon


Waste Treatment Facility
site plan 1
Waste Treatment Facility
site plan 2


Waste Treatment Facility
Roof Plan


Waste Treatment Facility
Section 01
Waste Treatment Facility
Section 02
Waste Treatment Facility
Section 03
Waste Treatment Facility
Section 04

Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP
T +34 934 579884
Batlle I Roig Arquitectura, SLP
Carrer de Manuel Florentín, 15, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain