Rehabilitation of the Vapor Cortès, Prodis 1933 by HARQUITECTES, Terrassa, Spain

The Rehabilitation of the Vapor Cortès by HARQUITECTES transforms a historic industrial complex in Terrassa into the new headquarters for the Prodis foundation, redefining how architecture can support social inclusion and community interaction. Originally composed of traditional brick warehouses with wooden trusses and repetitive structural rhythms, the site carried layers of industrial history shaped by continuous modifications over time. 

Rather than erasing this complexity, the project embraces the building’s imperfections as a valuable record of its past. The architects recognize that the true identity of the site lies not only in its physical structure but also in its accumulated transformations. This philosophy guides a careful and respectful intervention that preserves the industrial character while adapting it to new social functions.

A central design strategy is the recovery of the original service street located between the two main warehouse volumes. Instead of enclosing this space, the architects reimagine it as an interior public passage, functioning like an extension of the city. By removing sections of the roof and floors, this void becomes an open-air corridor where light, air, and weather conditions naturally interact with the architecture.

This internal street acts as the social spine of the project. It organizes circulation and connects all programmatic areas while encouraging interaction between users and the broader community. The design shifts the building from a closed institutional facility to a porous and inclusive environment, where boundaries between inside and outside are deliberately blurred.

The program is distributed along the two longitudinal warehouse structures. These spaces accommodate workshops, classrooms, kitchens, dining areas, and support facilities tailored to users with different abilities. The organization allows for both independence and connection, ensuring accessibility while fostering a sense of shared experience.

Structurally, the intervention introduces a new system that works in dialogue with the existing one. Additional wooden beams are inserted perpendicular to the original trusses, transforming the structure into a bidirectional framework. This approach reduces structural loads, reinforces the existing elements, and creates a subtle spatial rhythm that defines different zones without disrupting the building’s original logic.

Within this framework, enclosed volumes are introduced as functional cores, housing more private or technical spaces. These volumes also support the new structural system, acting as anchors within the larger open plan. Above them, skylights are carefully positioned to bring natural light into the center of each main space, enhancing orientation and spatial hierarchy.

Material continuity is essential to the project’s identity. The architects extend the existing timber construction logic, layering new wooden elements in a way that echoes the original roof system. This creates a cohesive visual and structural language where old and new coexist seamlessly.

Environmental performance is addressed through passive strategies. The building incorporates natural ventilation, improved insulation, solar protection, and trombe walls that help regulate indoor climate conditions. These measures ensure energy efficiency while maintaining a strong connection to natural environmental cycles.

Importantly, the project preserves the visible traces of time. Rather than concealing previous alterations, the architects highlight them: retaining irregularities, patched surfaces, and structural marks that tell the story of the building’s evolution. This approach reinforces the idea that architecture is not static, but a continuous process shaped by use and adaptation.

Ultimately, the Rehabilitation of the Vapor Cortès is not just a renovation, it is a social and architectural transformation. By opening the building to the city, integrating inclusive programs, and respecting its historical layers, HARQUITECTES create a space that fosters interaction, dignity, and belonging. It stands as a powerful example of how adaptive reuse can connect past, present, and future through thoughtful design.

All the Photographs are works of Adrià Goula