Nestled on the outskirts of Barcelona, a mere fifteen-minute drive from the city center, stood a marvel of architectural rebirth: La Fábrica. Home to Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA) and the Bofill family, this renowned masterpiece revealed itself as we drew near. Its imposing presence rose before us, a striking fusion of industrial ruin and organic transformation.

The first glimpse of the towering silos, now adorned with creeping ivy and punctuated by verdant trees sprouting from the concrete, left us in awe. It was a surreal sight—an industrial relic metamorphosed into a symbol of creativity and resilience, like stepping into another world hidden out of the city. A forest growing on concrete, contrasting sharply with the modern concrete forest of the city.

Last month, our design tour in South Africa brought us to Bronze Age, a creative studio nestled in Cape Town. Sculptor Otto du Plessis established Bronze Age in 1997 as one of South Africa’s first foundries dedicated to the ‘lost wax’ method in South Africa. Bronze Age specializes in fine art sculptures, collectible design and architectural installations. They set benchmarks for quality. Working closely with a unique community of artists, multi-disciplinary designers and craftsmen, they place their creativity, specialist skills and latest technology at the service of our clients.

Last month, our design tour in South Africa brought us to Bronze Age, a creative studio nestled in Cape Town. Sculptor Otto du Plessis established Bronze Age in 1997 as one of South Africa’s first foundries dedicated to the ‘lost wax’ method in South Africa. Bronze Age specializes in fine art sculptures, collectible design and architectural installations. They set benchmarks for quality. Working closely with a unique community of artists, multi-disciplinary designers and craftsmen, they place their creativity, specialist skills and latest technology at the service of our clients.

Looking back on our visit to the Zeitz MOCAA, designed by the internationally renowned London-based Heatherwick Architects, we are still in awe of how this space was transformed from its industrial origins into a modern architectural marvel. Located in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the museum stands as a testament to innovative design and the preservation of heritage. The Silo Hotel, occupying the upper six floors of the historic grain silo complex above the Zeitz MOCAA, offered breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the ocean.

Our guide began by setting the scene at the lowest point of the building, which spans nine floors, with the highest point reaching 57 meters above sea level. Originally constructed between 1921 and 1924, this edifice served as a grain silo for over seven decades. It was fascinating to learn about the building's original function and the intricate network of tunnels and chutes that facilitated grain storage and movement.

We arrived at Dylan Lewis's sculpture garden on a winter day in South Africa. Was this a good time to visit, given that the garden usually features a diverse array of plants that are especially attractive in spring or milder weather? As we wandered through the garden, we discovered the answer was a resounding 'yes.' The winter season revealed a tapestry of textures and hues that might be overshadowed by the summer's lushness. The garden's subtle colors and the intricate interplay of light and shadow offered a serene and contemplative beauty.

Dylan Lewis’s talent extended beyond his sculptures to the very landscape he shaped. He designed the garden by digging out a lake and shaping mounds to echo the mountains in the background. Inspired by the concept of the "borrowed landscape" in Asian gardens, Dylan brought the distant mountains into the intimate space of the garden. He selected soft, feminine plants to contrast with the strong, masculine lines of the mountains. He also preserved elements of the land's history, retaining some of the original poplar trees from the old plantation and incorporating them into the garden's design.

Our recent study tour to Italy was an inspiring journey into the heart of divine architecture, guided by architect Paolo Belloni. Graduated with honors in Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano, Paolo gained various study and work experiences in Lisbon, Barcelona, New York, and Maracaibo before opening his own studio in Bergamo. Alongside his professional activities, he also engaged in teaching at the Politecnico di Milano.