Renowned French architect Philippe Starck has brought a touch of surrealism to Andalusia with his design of a new olive oil mill, museum, and restaurant complex, called LA Almazara. The structure, located in the heart of a 25-hectare estate near Rona, serves as a centerpiece for a broader initiative aimed at promoting oleotourism in the region, which highlights the rich heritage and production of olive oil.
A Monument to Andalusian Heritage and Surrealism
Starck’s design presents a bold, red cube that stands out amidst the surrounding olive groves. The building, which houses an olive oil production facility, museum, and restaurant, is decorated with oversized symbols that draw from the region’s cultural legacy. These include a bull’s horn crafted from Corten steel and an eye carving—a direct nod to the area’s historical ties with the surrealist movement.
“LA Almazara itself is surrounded by acres of olive groves, bathed in powerful and warm lights of Andalusia,” said Starck in an interview with Dezeen. “This gives a kind of sense of the radicality I had to come up with for the project. Everything had to be out of the ordinary, out-of-scale, a little strange and surrealist. The place is full of fertile surprises that reflect Andalusian symbols.”
On the building’s exterior, Starck describes the structure as a “huge monolithic red block”, seemingly dropped from the sky. An enormous eye at the facade symbolizes the vigilance of Andalusian surrealist artists, with smoke rising from it to enhance the building’s mysterious aura.
Immersive Interior Design
Inside, the building continues the surrealist theme, with oversized sculptural elements integrated into the design. The restaurant area features an eye-catching suspended metal pipe and funnel that echo the olive oil production process, alongside a wing-like form inspired by the Andalusian scientist Abu al-Qasim, believed to be the first person to fly.
A striking feature of the interior is the large bullfighting sword, dramatically leaning against the wall above a cozy seating area. The symbolic bull’s horn and half-olive shapes, visible on the building’s exterior, extend inward to form part of the décor. A mural covering the entire ceiling further enhances the building’s fantastical atmosphere.
The space opens onto a terrace supported by large metal chains, offering visitors expansive views of the surrounding landscape, offering a stark contrast to the dark interior.
The Vision Behind the Architecture
“As soon as you enter, you are struck by the contrast in lights,” Starck explained. “In the building, it is dark and cool, to respect and enhance the delicate process of olive oil production. Yet the inside shadows hold strong symbols as well, such as monumental half-olive embedded in the rusty steel wall, a metal pipe penetrating the building without ever coming out.”
Beyond the Olive Oil Mill: A Cultural Destination
LA Almazara spans multiple floors, with the upper levels dedicated to a museum and olive oil production spaces. The surrounding area includes walking trails, sculptures by Starck, and various visitor facilities, making it a fully immersive cultural destination.
Starck’s recent works also include a renovation of a Saint-Tropez hotel inspired by mid-century design and a São Paulo penthouse within a tower designed by architect Jean Nouvel.
