Competitions

Urban Palette: Merging Modernity with Tradition

In the Les Corts neighborhood, known for its dense urban fabric and buildings from various periods, a new design approach has been adopted. The goal is to respect the city's architectural heritage, align with the urban fabric, and create a strong sense of belonging to the area. On a larger scale, the aim is to create a modern and high-quality façade that integrates with the overall cityscape. Simultaneously, on the street and avenue level, the objective is for this modern façade to speak the same architectural language as the surrounding building stock.

The corner of Carrer de Lluça and Avinguda Madrid is identified as the most prominent angle from which the blind wall is visible. With this in mind, we sought to soften the transition by starting the façade closest to the street with the same tones as the front façade, an example of early 20th-century residential architecture. The façade then gradually changes color, aiming to meet the adjacent residential building in the same hue commonly found in the neighboring structures.

The main objective was to harmonize the blind wall with the adjoining façades by carrying the same colors where they meet. However, there is a significant tonal difference between these two prevalent shades, commonly seen throughout Barcelona.

To minimize this tonal difference, we used intermediate shades that are part of the city’s identity, especially in Barcelona and Les Corts, thereby fostering a connection between modern design and the existing fabric. Through this transition of colors, enhanced by geometric shapes, we created a dynamic façade composition.

We aimed to break the monotony with dynamic window openings and depths, drawing inspiration from the city’s modern architecture. This approach led to a synthesis that reflects both the traces of modern buildings and the architectural heritage of the city.

Windows were added to rooms in the existing structure that had none, and the existing recessed openings were utilized, with minor interventions in the type of framing to minimize impact. Geometric skylights replaced windows facing stairwells, harmonizing with the façade while adding a new sense of light and shadow play inside.

By incorporating a sustainable insulation system, we kept interventions on the façade to a minimum, avoiding unnecessary weight while introducing light, subtle innovation. One of our primary goals was to ensure the design was technically and conceptually light, new, contextually engaged, and as easy to implement as possible.