RCR La Vila: Dreaming of Space

In the heart of La Garrotxa, in the Bianya Valley, RCR La Vila emerges — a project by architects Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta —founders ofRCR Arquitectes— that aims to redefine the relationship between human beings and space. Promoted by the RCR Bunka Foundation and the RCR LAB·A creative laboratory, it spans a 140-hectare estate conceived as a living, ever-evolving laboratory where architecture, nature, and creativity interact to generate sensory and reflective experiences.

Architecture As Experience And Sensory Research

The centre is conceived as a legacy and a beacon of transformation, a space for interdisciplinary research that explores new ways of living, thinking, and feeling. Architecture becomes a sensory and emotional experience, where each space serves as a scenography for shared experiences. Highlights include the Paper Pavilion, a tribute to nature and Japanese culture; the installation The Dream, first shown at the 2018 Venice Biennale, which plays with light and reflections; the Full Moon Garden, by Claudi Casanovas, which combines ceramic sculpture and symbolism; and the Air Hisao Suzuki Gallery, located in the forest and dedicated to the Japanese photographer.

The project, which is set to open its doors next summer, transforms old agricultural buildings into spaces for thought and creativity. One such space is the Metaverse Space, developed in collaboration with Layers of Reality, which will offer immersive virtual reality experiences exploring the nature of space.

Look At The World Again

The project, slated to open next summer, transforms former agricultural buildings into spaces for thought and creativity, such as the Metaverse Space, developed in collaboration with Layers of Reality, which will offer immersive virtual reality experiences that explore the essence of space.

A Dream Under Permanent Construction

RCR La Vila is conceived as a way of understanding architecture as a living consciousness, going beyond construction to become a form of thought, listening, and belonging. More than a place, it is a dream in continuous construction, open to participation and dialogue, inviting us to rethink how we inhabit the world.

Summary based on the article “RCR La Vila: Somiar l’espai.” Bonart, no. 202, 2025, pp. 64–65