Photo courtesy the American Hardwood Export Council.

For the team at Spanish architectural firm Landa-Ochandiano, American ash was the natural choice for a building that stands as a testament to one of Spain’s oldest industries—salt production. In 2003, restoration began on some of the buildings between the town of Añana and the Añana Saltworks. An old salt store, with perimeter walls as its only remnants, became El Torco, an aesthetically appealing design mix of old and new elements and an amazing testament to the flexibility of American ash.

The ancient Añana Saltworks are a result of a geological phenomenon called diaper, which creates hyper-saline springs. Salt making activity in Añana was continuous from 822 until the end of the 20th century (although some date its origins before the ninth century), when the buildings were abandoned and consequently fell into disrepair. The former salt store, now known as El Torco, opened in 2008 as the visitors’ centre and hosts exhibitions and guided tours of what had been an important industry for the area.

Architect Mikel Landa’s inspiration for the design and choice of materials came from his experience of building his own kayak. Thus, El Torco’s shape resembles an upside down boat’s hull. According to Landa, “American ash offers a light tone and marked grain, which provides the visual effect we were looking for. It is strong, relative to its weight, and is flexible,” noted Landa. “We cut the ash into small strips, which allowed for the bending needed to take on the unique shape of the building’s skin.”