La Ría de Pontevedra is a fascinating geographical space in which diverse and complex realities converge as a result of its singular orography, but also originates from the continued and intense presence of mankind in such a privileged location. The industrial complex of ENCE, which manufactures cellulose from the wood coming from its own forests, occupies a surface area of approximately 40 Ha along almost 1,5 Km of the Southern borderline of La Ría. This makes it a powerful and an undeniable impact to the surrounding landscape. Is such an industrial site compatible with this environment? We consider that in order to reconcile industry and nature in this location, two conditions must be applied. The first one is restoring its original landscape, for which the project proposes that the forest, now relegated only to the crests of the hills along La Ría’s course, regains its lost ground by the water: invading the industrial enclosure with vegetation. The second condition would be that, not only the compound’s productive activity is environmentally friendly but also the materials used in the construction should come from its natural surroundings, encouraging a positive interaction between the landscape, the industrial activity and its image itself. Building with what is available as the best sustainable strategy possible: trees and logs, constructive materials and at the same time ENCE’s essence and landscape..

client : ENCE Pontevedra
head architects : marta orts – carlos trullenque
assistant architects : javier garcía, jesús santamans, ana villalba, architects
competition collaboration : fernando carranza, architecture student
structural engineering : STADD: óscar lópez, josé antonio malvesado