Located at the foot of the mountains in the Los Vélez comarca of Almería, Andalusia, the REC.ON Project gives forgotten rural heritage a purposeful second life. Founded in 2019 around a century-old abandoned farmstead in Bolaimi, we transform dilapidated structures into vibrant studios, living spaces, and creative hubs. By combining traditional Andalusian craftsmanship with an international creative community, we actively work to counter rural depopulation (España Vaciada).
Join UsREC.ON Restoration Philosophy
We practice minimal architectural intervention and strict zero-waste building:
Honoring Built History: We keep original stone masonry, structural timber, clay mortars, and natural lime finishes intact. Every texture tells the true story of these walls.
Discreet Modernization: Essential utilities are integrated quietly within the original footprint—bringing functionality without stripping away historical soul.
Evolving Spaces: Work is continuously underway as we adapt adjacent ruined structures into additional creative residency spaces.
The 100-Year-Old Goat Farmstead
Our main base in Bolaimi centers on turning a century-old livestock farm into an active creative ecosystem
Upcycled Art Gallery & Workspace (Licensed 2023): What was once an abandoned goat shelter is now an officially licensed gallery and collaborative workspace for artists, writers, and hands-on workshops. We kept the core walls exposed—showing off the original mountain stone, clay, and wild bamboo as a raw, historic backdrop for upcycled art and design.
Site-Specific Land Installations
Beyond the buildings, our surrounding land hosts functional, eco-conscious spatial art built from reclaimed timber, wild bamboo, clay, raw stone, and upcycled materials:
The Treehouse Platform: Tucked high into the canopy of an ancient native oak tree—one of the few survivors predating the region’s almond monoculture. Built from reclaimed timber and wild bamboo, it remains completely hidden from the outside, creating a secluded space for deep focus, creative work, and raw connection with nature.
Eco Outdoor Shower: Built right against an almond tree whose branches support the frame. A simple, striking bamboo and natural timber structure where gravity feeds fresh water straight from our historic well before it flows naturally back into the earth.
Closed-Loop Eco Sink: An outdoor dishwashing and wash station overlooking the mountains. Powered by a gravity-fed well system, the water naturally irrigates surrounding native plants after use.
Recognition & Impact
Rural Talent Award (2023): Recognized across Andalusia for bringing creative life back to depopulated mountain villages.
TOP 50 Startups in Andalusia (2025): Selected among the region’s most innovative initiatives.
Active Networks: Collaborating with regional and international networks dedicated to rural regeneration and sustainable heritage.
Workshops
We invite you to participate in workshops and daily activities tailored to the natural rhythm of the seasons: