A cultural oasis in Mallorca is seeing a thoughtful restoration that aims to preserve its legacy, thanks to the team at BEEF ARCHITEKTI.
Sa Taronja is a unique place in the town of Andratx, nestled at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains on the island of Mallorca. Up until the late 1990s, it was the largest chicken farm in the Balearic Islands, established in the 1960s by the Burgos family. In 1997, a German painter named Hartmut Usadel was passing by when he saw a for-sale sign on the farm. Inspired, he bought it and turned it into his art studio. But Hartmut’s vision didn’t stop there. He transformed the farm into an informal gallery and cultural center, welcoming artists from around the world to create and showcase their work. The three original 80-meter-long chicken coops became studios, a gallery, and even a small theater. One of the center’s crowning moments was hosting a concert by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. After Hartmut’s passing, his close friend Tina Horne managed the center until 2017, when a new owner took over with the vision of continuing Sa Taronja’s cultural legacy.
Stepping into a space with such a rich history was quite a challenge for architects Rado Buzinkay, Andrej Ferenčík and Ján Šimko, who approached the extensive project by dividing it into two phases. The recently completed first phase involved restoring a 300-year-old stone town house on the edge of Andratx.
Serving as a support space for the cultural center’s culinary activities for the last decade, the task was to convert it back into a guest house with four apartments and an office for the manager (known locally as “oficina”). With the help of local workers, BEEF stripped away all modern additions to reveal the original stone structure in its natural, solid form.
In the communal kitchen area, a larger opening in the northern façade was created to improve natural light and connect with the street. Original wood elements and locally sourced materials, like Mares stone, connect the site to its roots, along with some treasures found during the renovation process.
“Throughout the site, we discovered many artifacts, which we incorporated into the interior design. These included an antique table and chairs, typical Mallorcan glass, and art pieces from Sa Taronja’s golden era as a cultural center,” the architects shared.
Outside, BEEF emphasized the connection between the house and the existing patio, whose covered area naturally extends the house. Using a simple wooden lattice, they created a shading pattern that repeats throughout the house, adding a modern touch.
The second phase focuses on the three long halls that were once chicken coops and later artist studios and galleries. Plans for their renovation are in progress and being discussed with the town.
“We believe that thanks to the planned reconstruction of the remaining parts of this exceptional building, Sa Taronja will once again become a cultural landmark on the map, acting as a generator of culture both locally and internationally,” the architects conclude.
Photography by Tomeu Canyellas.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.