Ronda, Spain

Reflecting Philippe Starck’s vision of creating “magic and poetry” through design, LA Almazara is a cutting-edge olive oil mill, conceived more than ten years ago, that creates a distinctive oleotourism destination, symbolizing Andalusian history.

Paying homage to Andalusia’s rich cultural tapestry, the structure is a magnificent 30-meter-tall red cube with dramatic features like a big steel bull’s horn and a concrete eye that emits black smoke.

“LA Almazara is an extraordinary, incredible and miraculous place in which visitors envoy a powerful, radical experience that challenges and transforms,” states Starck.

“It is an accumulation of mysteries where the crystallised respect of olive oil is mixed with emotion.”

Inside are tasting rooms, a café, a museum devoted to the history and cultural relevance of olive oil, and a fully functional olive oil mill.

The immersive experience is further enhanced by a cantilevered patio that is held up by big metal chains and provides expansive views of the nearby olive orchards.

By combining art, culture, and gastronomy to offer a sensual and informative exploration of the world of olive oil, LA Almazara hopes to increase oleotourism in the area.

Project: LA Almaraza
Architects: Philippe Starck
Client: LA ALMAZARA-LA ORGANIC, SL
Photographs: Courtesy of LA ALMAZARA-LA ORGANIC, SL