Gallery House by Tallerdarquitectura: A Minimalist Forest Retreat in El Bajo Ampurdán

In the heart of the El Bajo Ampurdán forest in Girona, Spain, Tallerdarquitectura has transformed a modest rural annex into a serene and energy-efficient retirement retreat. Completed in 2021 and led by architect Bernat Llauradó Auquer, the project—aptly named Gallery House—embraces its bucolic setting while delivering refined comfort, environmental sensitivity, and architectural clarity.

A Sensitive Renovation in the Empordà Forest

Originally a low-value outbuilding next to a traditional centenary Catalan farmhouse, the structure has been reimagined as a contemporary refuge for elderly residents seeking a peaceful life surrounded by nature. With a focus on preserving the forest setting and minimizing environmental impact, the architects approached the renovation as both a restoration and a restrained expansion.

“The original volume was a construction of little architectural and constructive value,” explains Llauradó. “Our goal was to rehabilitate it with dignity, creating a cozy and contemplative environment.”

Minimal Intervention, Maximum Connection to Nature

From the exterior, the house emerges like a white sculpture nestled among the trees. The intervention includes a small but impactful addition: a glass-fronted gallery that opens the home toward the surrounding meadows and woodland. This gallery extension serves not only as a light-filled living area, but also as a visual threshold between architecture and nature—offering framed views and dynamic connections to the outdoors.

Passive Strategies for Comfort and Sustainability

Central to the design is a deep commitment to bioclimatic design. Large, wooden folding shutters with adjustable slats offer adaptive light control, ventilation, and privacy. These slatted screens filter sunlight, reduce heat gain in summer, and allow passive solar collection in winter—eliminating the need for artificial cooling and reducing energy demand year-round.

At night, the home glows gently like a firefly, its interior warmth emanating through glass and wood. Inside, the pre-existing structural shell has been preserved and upgraded with new insulation, improved thermal mass, and updated utilities—ensuring long-term habitability without compromising the original character.

Locally Sourced, Low-Impact Materials

Gallery House also achieves low embodied energy through material selection. Most materials were chosen for their low environmental impact life cycle and sourced locally to reduce transport emissions. Wood, natural finishes, and thermally efficient glazing enhance the home’s ecological performance and longevity.

A Tranquil, Age-Friendly Home in Nature

The project’s simplicity belies its technical and emotional intelligence. Every design move—whether spatial, structural, or sustainable—is guided by empathy toward its future residents. It is a house made not only for living, but for aging gracefully in connection with the forest.

Gallery House is not just a renovation; it’s a gentle architectural gesture that speaks to the power of place, adaptive reuse, and climate-conscious design. It exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can restore dignity to forgotten structures and craft new stories within timeless landscapes.

All Photographs are works of Pere de Prada