Workshop 2025
Typological On-Site Investigations – As pallozas de Piornedo
September 12th to 26th, 2025.
Serra dos Ancares – Xuances, A Mariña, Lugo
| program |
This year, the 3rd edition of the ROAD Workshop, titled "Typological On-Site Investigations – As pallozas de Piornedo", will take place mainly at ROAD’s headquarters in Galicia, at Lugar Fontao in Xuances, near Esteiro Beach, but also in the Serra dos Ancares, also in the province of Lugo.
It will be conducted by architect Luis Feduchi and organized in collaboration with Asociación Ser, founded by filmmaker Oliver Laxe.
Asociación Ser's main objective is to protect and revitalize the rural environment of Os Ancares, Lugo, by fostering sociocultural activities and promoting rural development in the region.
The workshop will focus on the future of the palloza, a traditional stone-and-thatch-roof dwelling that can be found in the Serra dos Ancares in Lugo, Galicia, among other places throughout Europe. Many are currently in a state of abandonment and their maintenance is a challenge.
The primary aim of the workshop is to develop a methodology for studying this typology and to explore design strategies for its protection and revitalization.
Additionally, the workshop seeks to lay the foundation for a year-long research program that will include the creation of a publication, exhibition or documentary, and an on-site prototype of the design outcome, to be hopefully built during the summer of 2026.
In addition to the research and design activities, the workshop includes guided itineraries to explore exemplary contemporary interventions on Galicia’s rural heritage.
The workshop spans two weeks, from September 12 to 26, 2025.
| sarela river itinerary |
As part of Workshop 2025, we will visit the works of Víctor López Cotelo in Santiago de Compostela, guided and curated by architect Ángel Panero, co-author of the Fundación Laboral and specialist in the work of López Cotelo.
As a starting point and foundation for the workshop, direct knowledge and study of these interventions is an essential and highly enriching experience. We will delve into the values and particularities of emblematic projects such as the Fundación Laboral, the Casas del Sarela, the Vaquería del Carme de Abaixo, all in the vicinity of the Sarela River, and, in the urban centre, the residential complex on Rua da Caramoniña, next to Bonaval Park, in order to provide participants with a comprehensive proposal on how to approach interventions in abandoned or impoverished areas of historical and natural heritage.
| excursion to piornedo |
Between 15 and 17 September, participants in Workshop 2025 will visit Piornedo to study and visit the pallozas, traditional dwellings in the Serra dos Ancares. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the activities carried out by the Teitos de Piornedo Association, as well as some other individuals and cooperatives that are members of the Ser Association, which works to revitalise rural areas.
| applications |
Open to all interested participants, selection is based on the submission of a letter of motivation, a short bio, and/or samples of personal work. Please send them to road.site.info@gmail.com.
The registration fee is 520 euros. ROAD will assist participants locating accommodation and boarding.
Thanks to sponsorship by the Arquia Foundation, two grants are offered for students of architecture and/or recently graduated architects. The grants cover tuition, room, board, travel expenses (including scheduled itineraries), and travel assistance insurance for the duration of the workshop, which runs from September 12 to 26 2025.
For further information or inquiries, please contact road.site.info@gmail.com.