Barcelona

Welcome to Barcelona!

City of Contrasts --- Barcelona

Barcelona is a city of great contrasts, from a well-off commuter chatting on his phone before descending into the metro to a siesta-time trash-digger in the Eixample. On the edge of the old city, a temporary retail structure is covered with graffiti, standing only 10 feet from historic edifices.

Behavioral Patterns --- Generic City

“Tourism is now independent of destination...Instead of specific memories, the  associations the Generic City mobilizes are general memories, memories of memories: if not all memories at the same time, then at least an abstract, token memory, a deja vu that never ends, generic memory.”
Rem Koolhaas, Generic City


“The only activity is shopping. But why not consider shopping as temporary, provisional? It awaits better times. It is our own fault -- we didn’t think of anything better to do.

Rem Koolhaas, Generic City

Spatial Patterns --- El Raval

On the Western edge of the old city, a dense network of alleys and streets meet the wide boulevards of Cerda's Eixample. Because these street grids do not exactly line up, a number of awkward 'leftover' spaces are created between traffic. A pattern of ad hoc scooter parking is visible along the perimeter of the old city as a result.

Spatial Patterns --- Siesta

During siesta, Barcelonan’s on break seek out shady spaces to escape the sun. Some find shade under tree-lined streets & umbrellas, others stop at breaks in the street facade wall to converse with friends. In more stark areas of the city, residents create temporary relaxation spaces, such as in the back of an EMT van.

Architectural Patterns --- Eixample

In the Eixample, a repetitive solution to the corner condition highlights personal touches added by residents of each unit. In some cases this yields patterning, such as in the way balcony shading devices are drawn shut on a facade. In others, ad hoc constructions stand in stark contrast to an intended architectural pattern.