The bathtub – Shared space
ATTENTION: THIS PROJECT IS THE RESULT OF A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS BETWEEN CTRL+Z AND DIFFERENT AGENTS. FOR A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING, I INVITE YOU TO LEARN ABOUT THE OTHER SUBJECTS DIRECTLY INVOLVED: TERRITORY (SEVILLE).
Panorama
Over the last few decades, citizens have gradually stopped getting involved in the construction of their environment, perhaps blinded by the promises of the economic boom. Most of the important aspects of our lives have been delegated to institutions, public or private, with a complete lack of involvement in them.
Now, in the midst of a deep crisis that is not only economic but also cultural and social, it is becoming clear that this confidence was not always justified and that some of the models that flourished in those times were unsustainable and in some cases even carcinogenic.
The crisis has made part of society aware of the importance of actively getting involved in processes as important as the production of housing and food or in the life of the neighborhoods in which we live.
These dynamics are increasingly permeating the population, redefining values and social balances and leading us to new ways of perceiving and relating to the city. The tangible result of these changes is the recovery of various protocols for participation in associations, whether independent, in collaboration with administrations or as pressure groups against them.
In this scenario, we consider it essential to reconfigure architectural models as products and, above all, as forms and schemes of work, through a continuous and experimental search for patterns that can be adapted to the new social conditions that are continually being articulated.
These dynamics are increasingly permeating the population, redefining values and social balances and leading us to new ways of perceiving and relating to the city. The tangible result of these changes is the recovery of various protocols for participation in associations, whether independent, in collaboration with administrations or as pressure groups against them.
In this scenario, we consider it essential to reconfigure architectural models as products and, above all, as forms and schemes of work, through a continuous and experimental search for patterns that can be adapted to the new social conditions that are continually being articulated.
These dynamics are increasingly permeating the population, redefining values and social balances and leading us to new ways of perceiving and relating to the city. The tangible result of these changes is the recovery of various protocols for participation in associations, whether independent, in collaboration with administrations or as pressure groups against them.
In this scenario, we consider it essential to reconfigure architectural models as products and, above all, as forms and schemes of work, through a continuous and experimental search for patterns that can be adapted to the new social conditions that are continually being articulated.
Project motivations
The shared space project “La Bañera” is developed in this context and is born from the will of a group of young and not so young people determined to actively involve themselves in the creation of their own living environments, starting with their work environment, and from the need to emancipate themselves from some of the speculative situations in which they found themselves.
The project could serve to create a happy, healthy and vital environment, while being a good opportunity to reduce fixed costs, share services and create synergies.
We started this adventure as a three-person group, with the idea of expanding the group by spreading the word to other people throughout the process. The needs of the physical space as well as the mental space were assessed, incorporating work dynamics such as bartering and urban recycling from the first planning phases.
Ctrl+Z joined the initial group, reaching an agreement based on barter, whereby, in exchange for his physical or intellectual contribution to the reform, he would have the right to use part of the facilities.
Personally, after many years spent in inadequate, unhealthy “offices” that in some cases resembled clandestine situations, I was very keen and found it very interesting to be able to participate in the construction of our own work environment under this scheme, and a good opportunity to apply and put into value our knowledge about rescue, reuse and use of materials to integrate them into the work.
Ctrl+Z joined the initial group, reaching an agreement based on barter, whereby, in exchange for his physical or intellectual contribution to the reform, he would have the right to use part of the facilities.
Personally, after many years spent in inadequate, unhealthy “offices” that in some cases resembled clandestine situations, I was very keen and found it very interesting to be able to participate in the construction of our own work environment under this scheme, and a good opportunity to apply and put into value our knowledge about rescue, reuse and use of materials to integrate them into the work.
Ctrl+Z joined the initial group, reaching an agreement based on barter, whereby, in exchange for his physical or intellectual contribution to the reform, he would have the right to use part of the facilities.
Personally, after many years spent in inadequate, unhealthy “offices” that in some cases resembled clandestine situations, I was very keen and found it very interesting to be able to participate in the construction of our own work environment under this scheme, and a good opportunity to apply and put into value our knowledge about rescue, reuse and use of materials to integrate them into the work.
Choosing the location
We started by visiting some premises. We were interested in working on the theme of recovering a fragment of the industrial or artisanal fabric that had fallen into disuse within the historic centre of Seville in order to revitalise it and reincorporate it into urban life and its productive function through self-construction and with the vocation of being an active part of the solution to our own needs.
When we finally decided where to set up, it was clear that the space, given its size, could also be used to offer alternatives to other people. The idea of a coworking space was born.
The choice fell on building 5 of the Pelícano artisan corral, located in the popular San Julián neighborhood in the historic center of Seville.
The warehouse consisted of a fairly fragmented ground floor of 125 m2, characterised by a very large sliding door that could be closed, creating a second façade to completely isolate the hall from the rear.
From there, access was gained to the upper part of the 95m2, almost open-plan space, whose floor, made up of a simple chipboard plank, was in poor condition due to the numerous water leaks in the roof.
The choice fell on building 5 of the Pelícano artisan corral, located in the popular San Julián neighborhood in the historic center of Seville.
The warehouse consisted of a fairly fragmented ground floor of 125 m2, characterised by a very large sliding door that could be closed, creating a second façade to completely isolate the hall from the rear.
From there, access was gained to the upper part of the 95m2, almost open-plan space, whose floor, made up of a simple chipboard plank, was in poor condition due to the numerous water leaks in the roof.
The choice fell on building 5 of the Pelícano artisan corral, located in the popular San Julián neighborhood in the historic center of Seville.
The warehouse consisted of a fairly fragmented ground floor of 125 m2, characterised by a very large sliding door that could be closed, creating a second façade to completely isolate the hall from the rear.
From there, access was gained to the upper part of the 95m2, almost open-plan space, whose floor, made up of a simple chipboard plank, was in poor condition due to the numerous water leaks in the roof.
Overall, the building was very dark, with two windows on the ground floor, one on the main façade, another smaller one on the south, and a third one in very poor condition on the roof of the upper floor. It also had various problems related to humidity, aggravated by the neglect in which it had been left for years.
Some told us that it had not been rented out for more than ten years, others that a couple had tried to convert it into a home but had given up after a few months.
Despite all this, it seemed to us to have great potential, both due to the characteristics of what existed in itself and its placement in the urban context and also due to the cultural and social setting in which it was located.
From the beginning, the Pelícano artisan community welcomed us with open arms and within a few days they were giving out advice, lending tools and sharing a few meals or beers.
The project
We officially moved into the premises on 1 October 2011 and spent the next six months almost entirely dedicated to its fitting out.
The first task was to restore the original state by removing the results of the various works that had taken place and accumulated over time. During this phase we tried to separate the reusable elements and proceeded to recycle the resulting metal parts.
When the false ceiling was removed, an independent metal structure was discovered, finished at the bottom with a grid of “T” profiles. We then discovered that during the 90s it had been used as a warehouse for a luxury watch import store, which justified the construction of a “cage” to avoid holes, fragmentation and the sliding door to close everything.
This process put all our convictions into crisis a little; we began the work with a clear idea, to quickly condition the ground floor, but the building, once freed, began to suggest different paths that could give better answers to the sensations that were gradually developing as we became familiar with its dimensions and proportions.
Finally, perhaps out of fascination with the spaces that were being created above, we decided to carry out the entire renovation at once, investing more time, thus being able to attack and solve all the problems and pathologies at once and avoid the complication of working on it while the lower floor was in full use.
The concept of space
After evaluating different possibilities, we finally decided on a ground floor with an open-plan main room with individual tables, which, while respecting the service and the adjoining room transformed into a meeting room, would only have the first portion removed, which previously belonged to the lobby, to organize a “chill out” room for coffee or more informal meetings, which also has two hammocks in case a little relaxation is needed. A mosaic of integrated but separate spaces, to allow for contemporary use with different activities.coworking self-construction
The upper floor would be divided into two. The first part would be a multipurpose room where courses or activities that require a more intimate and secluded place or simply a separate space could be held. Later, this part could be equipped with tables if the ones downstairs are full. The second part would be used as a warehouse and work area to continue the renovation and improvements. In fact, since the inauguration, several pieces of furniture have been built to complete the different areas.
The two rooms had been considered interchangeable depending on needs and the season, but we are currently continuing with the initial layout, carrying out office-type work downstairs and activities of a different nature such as yoga, massages, or crochet upstairs.
The concept of space
After evaluating different possibilities, we finally decided on a ground floor with an open-plan main room with individual tables, which, while respecting the service and the adjoining room transformed into a meeting room, would only have the first portion removed, which previously belonged to the lobby, to organize a “chill out” room for coffee or more informal meetings, which also has two hammocks in case a little relaxation is needed. A mosaic of integrated but separate spaces, to allow for contemporary use with different activities.coworking self-construction
The upper floor would be divided into two. The first part would be a multipurpose room where courses or activities that require a more intimate and secluded place or simply a separate space could be held. Later, this part could be equipped with tables if the ones downstairs are full. The second part would be used as a warehouse and work area to continue the renovation and improvements. In fact, since the inauguration, several pieces of furniture have been built to complete the different areas.
The two rooms had been considered interchangeable depending on needs and the season, but we are currently continuing with the initial layout, carrying out office-type work downstairs and activities of a different nature such as yoga, massages, or crochet upstairs.
The concept of space
After evaluating different possibilities, we finally decided on a ground floor with an open-plan main room with individual tables, which, while respecting the service and the adjoining room transformed into a meeting room, would only have the first portion removed, which previously belonged to the lobby, to organize a “chill out” room for coffee or more informal meetings, which also has two hammocks in case a little relaxation is needed. A mosaic of integrated but separate spaces, to allow for contemporary use with different activities.coworking self-construction
The upper floor would be divided into two. The first part would be a multipurpose room where courses or activities that require a more intimate and secluded place or simply a separate space could be held. Later, this part could be equipped with tables if the ones downstairs are full. The second part would be used as a warehouse and work area to continue the renovation and improvements. In fact, since the inauguration, several pieces of furniture have been built to complete the different areas.
The two rooms had been considered interchangeable depending on needs and the season, but we are currently continuing with the initial layout, carrying out office-type work downstairs and activities of a different nature such as yoga, massages, or crochet upstairs.
Our aim was never to seek “density” or overcrowding in order to create the largest number of jobs and, consequently, greater economic profit, but rather to create a welcoming environment for the people who will spend many hours here every day. An inspiring environment that stimulates creativity and where dialogue and interaction can also take place, as opposed to the closed cubicle model that is often applied to coworking spaces or business incubators.
We believed in another concept of a space without segregations, truly shared, understanding it as a physical but also mental place, to promote synergies and collaboration between its inhabitants.
The work
The next step was to condition all those elements that had been decided to be kept; we wanted to fully prepare the envelope before starting to introduce new elements.
The grill, with more than 600 linear meters of profiles, took us a long time, but it was certainly worth it since it is now one of the most characteristic and attractive elements of “the Bathtub”, and thanks to the chosen color it is no longer heavy or oppressive.
Furthermore, its geometry breaks up the sound, contributing to acoustic comfort.
The bricks were exposed, the various blind openings were plastered with a mortar made of lime and earth, small damages were repaired and everything was finished with lime paint to add light to the environment. At this stage of the work Nacho and Juan appeared and finally stayed until the end of the work.
The main leaks were repaired and the window and some ceiling panels were replaced with transparent elements, giving the building a brightness that was previously unthinkable.
In January we were finishing the upper slab, which was completed with a self-built sandwich panel that used parts of the wooden profiles salvaged from the dismantling of the original slab.
From the beginning we were clear about the need to bring natural light to the lower floor and the intention of doing so with a skylight that would be installed in the part intended for the warehouse.
At this point in the work we were all looking for elements that could be rescued, and with a bit of luck we found, not far from us, some glass, probably from a bench that some gypsies had brought there to sell its frame to a nearby scrap dealer, and supported on a structure that we built to measure, they became our skylight designed to sufficiently illuminate the lower part.
In January we were finishing the upper slab, which was completed with a self-built sandwich panel that used parts of the wooden profiles salvaged from the dismantling of the original slab.
From the beginning we were clear about the need to bring natural light to the lower floor and the intention of doing so with a skylight that would be installed in the part intended for the warehouse.
At this point in the work we were all looking for elements that could be rescued, and with a bit of luck we found, not far from us, some glass, probably from a bench that some gypsies had brought there to sell its frame to a nearby scrap dealer, and supported on a structure that we built to measure, they became our skylight designed to sufficiently illuminate the lower part.
In January we were finishing the upper slab, which was completed with a self-built sandwich panel that used parts of the wooden profiles salvaged from the dismantling of the original slab.
From the beginning we were clear about the need to bring natural light to the lower floor and the intention of doing so with a skylight that would be installed in the part intended for the warehouse.
At this point in the work we were all looking for elements that could be rescued, and with a bit of luck we found, not far from us, some glass, probably from a bench that some gypsies had brought there to sell its frame to a nearby scrap dealer, and supported on a structure that we built to measure, they became our skylight designed to sufficiently illuminate the lower part.
At the end of January I had to interrupt my physical presence to temporarily move to California for my training at CalEarth, despite this I followed the developments and tried to contribute virtually as much as possible.
“La Bañera” was inaugurated in April 2012 and since then there have been continuous improvements.
Energy saving
Passive energy saving strategies were incorporated; considering these factors is essential, especially in climates like that of Seville.
The chimney effect actually involves the entire volume of air in the bath and it can escape without accumulating. The skylight itself is adjustable to facilitate this process. The false OSB ceiling incorporates generous insulation and includes several air chambers, the last one measuring 70 cm which allows the free movement of hot air to the outside through adjustable openings prepared in the upper part of the side wall (still under construction, hahaha).
The lighting was also carefully studied with the intention that natural light, despite the spatial configuration, would reach most of the workstations, thus limiting the need for artificial lighting and creating a more pleasant environment.
Marcos carefully studied the position of the upper openings to allow light to enter throughout the day and the seasons without causing discomfort. All the skylights are inclined and oriented in such a way that they allow light to enter during the winter and prevent it during the summer.
The artificial lighting was decided, after countless discussions and tests on a 1:1 scale, with lamp units that bathe the walls and the space in indirect and pleasant light. Of course, there is the possibility for each person to install their own personalised light source, but after a year the only one that was ever installed is used more as a coat rack.
Finally, Joso, who had also joined the team during the process, contributed his experience and passion for the plant world by installing different tubs, which ended up giving the coworking space its name, characterising each one with different species, edible or decorative.
These elements, together with a careful choice of materials and finishes, provide colour and warmth to the whole. A result very far from the appearance of classic offices.
Joso also introduced the use of cane, used in large quantities at the entrance. Harvested from the nearby cane fields, it provides transparency and breathability to the partitions and allowed for significant savings, since initially it had been thought of using polycarbonate, which would have been more expensive, less ecological and would have limited air movement.
Paying attention to urban cycles that produce perfectly usable waste allowed us to also rescue: hydraulic tiles for the distribution space, old bricks for the walls, different pallets for self-construction of furniture and recently 4 new shop window panes that will soon be used.
For some tasks, the help of other professionals was needed and where possible, they were offered to include us in their team and carry out a more supervisory and advisory task. In this way, we were able to train ourselves and limit costs. While others, such as the electrical installation, were entrusted to certified technicians due to their complexity.
When it came time to build the furniture, everyone involved had gone through the learning process of general renovation, so very good results were obtained.
Behind the reeds there is a meeting room, prepared for eight people, which is the scene of the community breakfast all morning.
Finally, Joso, who had also joined the team during the process, contributed his experience and passion for the plant world by installing different tubs, which ended up giving the coworking space its name, characterising each one with different species, edible or decorative.
These elements, together with a careful choice of materials and finishes, provide colour and warmth to the whole. A result very far from the appearance of classic offices.
Joso also introduced the use of cane, used in large quantities at the entrance. Harvested from the nearby cane fields, it provides transparency and breathability to the partitions and allowed for significant savings, since initially it had been thought of using polycarbonate, which would have been more expensive, less ecological and would have limited air movement.
Paying attention to urban cycles that produce perfectly usable waste allowed us to also rescue: hydraulic tiles for the distribution space, old bricks for the walls, different pallets for self-construction of furniture and recently 4 new shop window panes that will soon be used.
For some tasks, the help of other professionals was needed and where possible, they were offered to include us in their team and carry out a more supervisory and advisory task. In this way, we were able to train ourselves and limit costs. While others, such as the electrical installation, were entrusted to certified technicians due to their complexity.
When it came time to build the furniture, everyone involved had gone through the learning process of general renovation, so very good results were obtained.
Behind the reeds there is a meeting room, prepared for eight people, which is the scene of the community breakfast all morning.
Finally, Joso, who had also joined the team during the process, contributed his experience and passion for the plant world by installing different tubs, which ended up giving the coworking space its name, characterising each one with different species, edible or decorative.
These elements, together with a careful choice of materials and finishes, provide colour and warmth to the whole. A result very far from the appearance of classic offices.
Joso also introduced the use of cane, used in large quantities at the entrance. Harvested from the nearby cane fields, it provides transparency and breathability to the partitions and allowed for significant savings, since initially it had been thought of using polycarbonate, which would have been more expensive, less ecological and would have limited air movement.
Paying attention to urban cycles that produce perfectly usable waste allowed us to also rescue: hydraulic tiles for the distribution space, old bricks for the walls, different pallets for self-construction of furniture and recently 4 new shop window panes that will soon be used.
For some tasks, the help of other professionals was needed and where possible, they were offered to include us in their team and carry out a more supervisory and advisory task. In this way, we were able to train ourselves and limit costs. While others, such as the electrical installation, were entrusted to certified technicians due to their complexity.
When it came time to build the furniture, everyone involved had gone through the learning process of general renovation, so very good results were obtained.
Behind the reeds there is a meeting room, prepared for eight people, which is the scene of the community breakfast all morning.
Conclusions
Projects such as “la Bañera” demonstrate that industrial urban fabrics are not doomed but are a heritage with great potential and that abandoning them would be a serious and in many cases irreversible mistake, and at the same time that simple interventions can give them urban meaning again, returning to these places their function as production spaces.
That despite everything, if we collaborate and join forces, with fewer resources and more ingenuity, we can create spaces of opportunity.
Finally, a few of us managed to solve our needs and now we have a comfortable workspace in the historic center of Seville that is available to others at a reasonable price.
Its activation did not require large investments or infrastructure, but rather the commitment of the people involved.
The project became a search for a virtuous balance between new, natural and reused materials, between ideas and their low-tech application, to act in a reversible way.
The result was the Bathtub, a shared space in continuous evolution that reinvents itself from time to time to adapt to the new demands of its inhabitants.
You can find the latest news about the shared space on the bathtub page.
Those interested in sharing it can write to labanhera@gmail.com or call +34 607114950 (Marcos).
