Vall d’en Joan, the recycled Metropolitan Park Barcelona

The Vall d’en Joan is located in the Natural Park of Garraf, in the county of Baix Llobregat, half an hour from Barcelona.

The landfill used to be an ensemble of slopes with earth covering the waste beneath but, until the moment of development of the project, without final capping. The main aim of the landfill restoration project was to convert the site in a public space, a kind of “metropolitan park” that could integrate the landfill to the surrounding landscape and corresponding vegetal species, and which was simultaneously close to city centres and located in the countryside.

To begin with, the project implied diverse challenges, technical, environmental and of landscape design. The resolution of the technical problems of capping gave way to a path through a terraced and sloped structure. As the restoration project was conceived as a Metropolitan Park due to the Valley’s proximity to city centres, but which is at the same time inside the Garraf Natural Park, special attention was paid to the road leading to it and the parking lot.

Regarding the original idea of converting the site in a new landscape, the architects focused on three main features: topography, hydraulics and vegetation. For the hydraulic necessities a draining system composed of channels of rainwater and cisterns was installed in the banks, while the vegetation and topography requirements included using resilient species that would easily adapt to the territory and, eventually, to scarceness of water. Also, to consolidate the continuity of the terraces with the Natural Park, different crops were cultivated on the slopes, to make them later expand to the surroundings and to integrate with the rest of the landscape.

However, the main objective of the whole project was not only to recuperate the landfill and convert it in a public space integrated to the National Park landscape, but mainly to bring conscience about which kind of attitude society as a whole should adopt regarding the environment.

Not only does this demonstrate great commitment and a great example of recycling – it builds further on Barcelona’s credo of taking the surrounds seriously and creating a positive legacy.

White Line Hotels – the creative network of +40 hotels -  White Line Hotels Barcelona Hotel Omm.

Project by: Batlle i Roig Arquitectes

All images courtesy  http://www.batlleiroig.com/

Explore The Norwegian National Tourist Route with Juvet Landskapshotell

When you think of Norway beyond Oslo, you’re probably thinking about the dramatic landscapes of the fjords, and with good reason — there’s nowhere on Earth quite like them! There’s a lot more to Norway’s breathtaking beauty, though, and in 1997 Parliament decided on a way to help you get to it: The National Tourist Routes. After the municipalities nominated a total of 52 roads covering 8,000 kilometers, in 2004 18 were selected to receive the distinction. You’ll find White Line Hotels Edit  Juvet Landskapshotel off Norwegian County Road 63, otherwise known as National Tourist Route Geiranger – Trollstigen.

Read the rest of this entry »

Your Ski Holiday Just Went Underground

There’s no escaping that inevitable question on any ski holiday: What do you do when you’re not on the slopes? It’s certainly a dilemma that falls into the category that a dear friend of mine calls — with all due gratitude for being lucky enough to have  this kind — “posh problems”, but a question to be answered nonetheless. If cozy chairs near flickering fires still hold their appeal, but this year you find yourself dreaming of something slightly less usual, it’s time to take your holiday down-time underground. Into Bad Gastein’s healing caves.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Grottoes of Castellana: A journey to Inner Earth

I know this is not an easy one, but if you manage to leave the heavenly paradise of the Apulian coast behind for a few hours, I may have the perfect suggestion for you on where to go. Only 30km inland of the idyllic fishing town of Savelletri lays a spectacular natural wonder: The Grottoes of Castellana, one of Italy’s most famous caves. It is hard to believe that the entrance to this amazing network of caves and caverns was used as a landfill until 1938, when speleologist Franco Anelli discovered its true secret.

Read the rest of this entry »