Memory of the project by b720, Fermín Vázquez
Els Encants de Barcelona is a century-old market that had been organized informally as a street market.The site for the new location, not far from the current site, is found at the intersection of AvenidaMeridianaand Plaza de lasGlorias. The project’s principal goal is to maintain the open-air street market atmosphere of the Encants. A site limited to 8.000m² for a commercial structure that occupies more than double thatsurface was an important challenge.
The design avoids building several stories, thus rejecting the shopping mall model. To achieve that, it includes slightly inclined planes that intertwine in a loop that creates an uninterruptedwalkamong the stalls and small shops, echoing the experience of strolling down a pedestrian street. The folding of the floors make it possible to reconcile the differing heights of the side aisles, and blur the entrance levels throughout the interior of the market.
A large roof suspended like a canopy, almost 25 meters high, makes the market recognizable as a landmark and protects shop-keepers and customers from the sun. The roof is made up of panels of varying widths. Its inner face uses fractured planes that reflect the city into the market.
The building has two underground levels. The first is dedicated to the logistical functions of the market, and the second was conceived as public parking for customers.
Text.- b720
CREDITS.-
Architects.- b720 Fermín Vázquez. Francesc de Fuentes, Cristina Algas, Sonia Cruz, Guillermo Weiskal, Albert Freixes, Gemma Ojea, Javier Artieda, Angel Gaspar, Oriol Roig, Juan Pablo Porta, Leonardo Novelo.
Collaborators.- Jorge Mascaray, Francisco Marques, Helia Pires, Elies Porta, Tosca Salinas, Myriam Gonzalez, Nastascha Gergoff, Egbert Oosterhoff.
Client.- Barcelona d’Infraestructures Municipals (BIMSA), Ayuntamiento de Barcelona.
Date.- October 2006 (Date of Competition), 2008-2009 (Date of project) 2010-2013 (construction).
Surface.- 35.440 m².
Site.- Confluencia plaza de las Glorias – Av. Meridiana, Barcelona.
Situación.- Marqués de Sta. Isabel 41, Barcelona.
Promotor.- Instituto de Cultura de Barcelona (Ayuntamiento de Barcelona).
Facilities. - JG Group.
Structure.- BOMA.
