Agrosemillas has created a facility in El Peral, Spain, that redefines the concept of agricultural buildings: instead of typical, heavy infrastructure, the architecture is deliberately austere, yet visually appealing and expressive. The design by Impepinable Studio stems from the realities of the agro-industrial landscape, which is dominated by large vehicles, warehouses and intensive logistics processes. In such an environment, it is difficult to find places conducive to concentration or conceptual work, yet this was precisely the ambition of the investor and designers. The almost futuristic architecture goes hand in hand with a modern interior design, which features many design icons.
The complex is located right next to the national road separating it from the small town of El Peral, with a population of only 660. It is surrounded by farmland, and the climate is characterised by strong seasonal contrasts and episodes of heavy rainfall. The company’s operations are subject to harvest cycles, which means variable workloads and a variety of users, from warehouse workers to research and innovation engineers.
In such conditions, it was necessary to create a space that would allow for work requiring concentration, meetings and technological development, while remaining closely linked to the production facilities. The architects therefore had to combine flexibility with clear spatial organisation and maintain formal continuity with the existing industrial buildings.
The architecture of transformation
Agrosemillas, previously associated mainly with seed production, is entering a phase of intensive modernisation, focusing on innovation and environmental responsibility. The new building has become a manifesto of this change. The architects gave it a more open, youthful and informal character, without sacrificing simplicity and functionality. A striking feature is the use of the company’s colours (green and yellow) directly on the façades. Large, round window openings with manually operated round shutters act as visual switches, allowing the degree of openness of the building to its surroundings to be adjusted.
Conscious simplicity
The offices were built in parallel with over 4,500 square metres of new production and storage halls. All facilities use the same construction systems and materials, and local craftsmen played a key role: a blacksmith and plumber from El Peral, formwork carpenters from a neighbouring village, and regional construction crews. This reliance on local skills influenced technical decisions and reinforced the intended restraint of the architecture.
The core of the building consists of four previously used shipping containers, open on two sides and placed on a shared concrete slab, which they share with the halls. Their layout generates a characteristic zigzag roof profile, which acts as skylights. This allows soft, even light to enter the interior, and the northern orientation of the open areas ensures its stable quality throughout the day.
How were the workspaces arranged inside? The floor plan of the building is organised into three parallel strips: an open workspace zone, a service strip and a section with meeting rooms and laboratories. The entrances are separated according to the logistical flows and the nature of the work of individual user groups. Experimental cultivation strips have been placed on the roof slopes, creating a physical link between research, production and architecture.
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The nature of the building and its significance
The whole complex functions as a precise, restrained work infrastructure, with architecture resulting from the systems, functions and competences of the people who create it. Despite its industrial character, the building is attractive, and its form and colour scheme give it an expression that distinguishes it from typical agricultural facilities. It is an example of how a functional, flexible and visually appealing space can be created in a demanding environment.
design: ImpepinableStudio
photos: DEL RIOBANI
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