Bluespace Ballonti

Site: Valle de Trápaga, Vizcaya
Project: 2019
Construction: 2020

Bluespace Ballonti is strategically located in the Trapagaran Valley, just 15 minutes from the center of Bilbao, making it an accessible and convenient option for individuals and businesses seeking flexible and secure storage solutions. This self-storage facility is situated in the Galindo Industrial Park, in the municipality of Trapagaran, an area with a long industrial tradition that has successfully adapted to modern times by converting factory spaces into modern and functional facilities.

The Bluespace Ballonti project involved the complete renovation of a pre-existing building, with interventions that included remodeling, conservative restoration, conservation, and landscaping. All of this was done to adapt the building to the demands of self-storage, while guaranteeing a comfortable, efficient, and secure service for users.

Bluespace offers a self-storage rental service, also known as storage units or self-storage boxes, with a wide variety of sizes to suit each client’s needs. These spaces are designed to store everything from personal belongings to office supplies, tools, files, or merchandise for small businesses. In addition, the company complements this core business with a retail space on the building’s ground floor, which houses a checkpoint and a shop specializing in self-storage products such as cardboard boxes, tape, protective covers, modular shelving, and other useful items for organizing and protecting stored items.

To facilitate customer access and operations, the building has vehicular access, allowing direct vehicle entry to the immediate vicinity of the storage units. It also features an outdoor parking area with ample spaces to ensure user convenience, even during peak times. Two small loading and unloading docks, equipped with hydraulic platforms, have been strategically located next to the main entrance and on the northeast facade of the building, within the private property. This arrangement allows for the efficient management of the entry and exit of goods, even when multiple customers are using the facilities simultaneously.

One of the project’s highlights is the unique nature of the building that houses Bluespace Ballonti. Built in 1975, it was part of a factory complex and originally served administrative functions as an auxiliary service to the main industrial activity. Due to its historical and architectural value, the building is included in the Basque Country’s Industrial Heritage Catalogue, which has necessitated a particularly careful approach to its restoration. At Angulo Arquitectura, we have carried out this project while respecting the original character of the building and adapting it to new functional requirements.

Inside the building, several modifications were made to optimize space and improve functionality. For example, the telecommunications rack was relocated, allowing for an expansion of the retail and office space. The ground floor stairwell was also redesigned, improving circulation and space utilization.

Regarding the landscaped outdoor areas, the main loading dock has been updated and the parking area reorganized to meet regulatory requirements.

Twenty-five parking spaces have been marked, not including the short-term parking spaces designated for loading and unloading. Furthermore, the originally planned swing gate at the entrance to the lot has been replaced with an automatic sliding gate, thus improving the facility’s operability and security.

The building also features a specially equipped waste disposal room. This space is equipped with a drain, tap, and ducted ventilation to the outside. The waste containers are airtight, lidded, made of washable material, and have automatic opening mechanisms, meeting hygiene and sanitation standards.

Ventilation throughout the facility is primarily natural, except in areas where the layout prevents it, in which case forced ventilation is used. Ventilation openings are evenly distributed across the upper sections of the buildings, either in the facade or roof, and are located on opposite facades or courtyards to promote cross-ventilation. Openings for air intake have also been provided in the lower sections, in proportion to the exhaust openings, and access doorways are considered valid.

The fire detection system covers all areas of the building, especially the open-plan storage areas, guaranteeing a rapid response to any eventuality and the climate control of the control area is provided by a self-contained split-system heat pump connected to a ductwork network in the suspended ceiling. The system is activated by a thermostat and automatically shuts off by a timer, thus optimizing energy consumption.

Finally, the building features a circular interior staircase facing the rear façade, naturally ventilated according to current regulations. The restrooms, located on the ground floor, are also naturally ventilated through windows to the exterior, ensuring adequate hygienic conditions.