B(AS)ERRI: Tools for the revitalisation of rural and peri-urban environments

When Eduardo Chillida acquired the Zabalaga farmhouse that is today Chillida Leku, it was practically in ruins. Its rehabilitation was a long process, dominated by freedom of action and the double purpose of bringing space to its interior and preserving its identity.

Inspired by cases nearby, such as Chillida Leku, LoreToki (the current Military Stud farm), Unanue Zahar (the current Hotel Heredad de Unanue) and Portuetxe, the Rezola Cement Museum is organising an outreach project to explore the evolution of the baserri or Basque hamlet in peri-urban contexts, as well as its potential as a tool for the revitalisation of territories in decline or with a falling population.

The exhibition will be completed with a programme of talks reflecting on the re-use of the baserri, the current state of abandoned farmhouses in the area and the reconversion process for some of these.