The Reina Sofía Museum has premiered Alhacena, a rest area on the 4th floor that transforms recycled defective woods into cozy furniture. Far from cold waiting rooms, this corner invites you to read or chat as if you were at home. The initiative aims to help visitors regain energy without rushing, prioritizing their well-being with sustainable and functional design.
Structural recycling: when defects become constructive virtues 🪵
The technical key of Alhacena lies in the use of woods with imperfections that are normally discarded in the industry. These pieces, treated with non-toxic finishes, are assembled using joints without synthetic adhesives, reducing environmental impact. The modular furniture allows the space to be reconfigured according to the public's needs, and the warm LED lighting prevents eye strain. Everything is calculated so that comfort does not depend on virgin materials or polluting processes.
Now you can rest like recycled furniture (and no one will judge you) 😴
Finally, a museum understands that viewing art is as tiring as moving house. Alhacena offers you chairs made from wood that others would call waste, but here they are the throne of the exhausted visitor. But don't get too comfortable: if you fall asleep, you might wake up inside an exhibition about deep sleep. At least, you'll know your nap was ecological.