Separate to Connect: Sustainability and Well-being at the Tarragona Provincial Council
At CitySens, we are driven by a simple idea: well-designed spaces improve people’s lives. That’s why, when we were asked to redesign the cafeteria at the Tarragona Provincial Council building, we saw a great opportunity. Together with PLASTICPeople, we created a more comfortable, greener, and more sustainable environment, marking one of our first steps in interior design for professional spaces.
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The challenge: more privacy in a shared space
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Originally, the cafeteria was an open area with tables where employees could eat and take a break. However, with the opening of new offices at one end, the space became a thoroughfare. This led to noise and a lack of privacy for those who wanted to use the dining area.
Our mission was to create a visual and functional separation between the walkway and the rest area, without closing off the space or losing natural light.
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The solution: panels with planters made from recycled materials
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The proposal from CitySens and PLASTICPeople was to install divider panels with built-in planters, allowing the space to be divided without losing openness, while also bringing a touch of nature.
These panels are made from hard-to-recycle plastic waste, which PLASTICPeople transforms into unique and durable materials. The natural textures and colours of the recycled plastic make each panel different, with a very distinctive look.
The integrated planters, designed by CitySens, include a capillary self-watering system, ideal for frequently used spaces. They consist of two compartments:
- A lower waterproof section, made from advertising banners reclaimed by the Portolà Foundation.
- An upper permeable section, made from recycled felt crafted by designer and artisan @sitalimon
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Thanks to this system, the plants stay healthy with very little maintenance.
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Beyond the interior: a second phase outdoors
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After the positive reception of the first installation, the same design was applied to an adjacent outdoor space, expanding the rest area and creating continuity between the indoor and outdoor areas. To reinforce this connection, the same elements —such as the recycled planters— were used in both spaces, creating a coherent and harmonious visual and functional experience.
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500 kg of recycled plastic waste
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In addition to improving comfort for people, the project has made it possible to recycle over 500 kg of plastic waste, much of it collected locally. This initiative is part of EURePOT, a CitySens project that transforms discarded tetrapack containers —mainly making use of the polyethylene and aluminium layers— into high-quality planters.
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