Photo series and description of transformation projects in Barcelona.
By Line Vestergaard Cramer.
25.04.2025.
Barcelona is known for a lot. You may know about the city's football team, FC Barcelona? Or the local sparkling wine, Cava? Or perhaps you've heard about the city's large, white sandy beaches? Or perhaps you've been to the famous Picasso Museum? Barcelona is truly a city with a long cultural history and a strong local identity – especially through its rich Catalan culture.
Architecturally speaking, you can't say "Barcelona" without mentioning the world-famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí designed famous buildings such as La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera in Barcelona. Gaudí's approach to architecture is experimental and different in every way, and his buildings form the basis of a large part of the tourism in Barcelona.
But Barcelona actually also contains a lot of other exciting architecture, and we have therefore put together a series of images of three different transformation projects in Barcelona. The projects differ in their starting point, approach, typology and results – but they have one thing in common: they are all extremely successful in their transformation.
Oliva Artés Museum - BAAS Architects
The Olivia Artés Museum is located in the El Poblenou area, which was for many years a large industrial area. Today it has been transformed into Poblenou Parc Central – a park area with outdoor areas and both new and transformed buildings. The museum building is an older industrial building from 1920, which used to produce and repair machinery. The building was originally scheduled to be demolished in 2008, but thanks to the commitment of the residents, the demolition was stopped. The transformation therefore took place through a competition project, which the BAAS Architects studio won.
The transformation has focused on maintaining as much of the old building as possible. The wear and tear and use of the building are still clearly visible in the older parts of the transformed building, and elements such as graffiti have also been preserved. All new additions – which are minimal in principle – are evident in the choice of materials, which are distinctly different from the building’s original materiality. A golden metal has been added primarily, which at the same time fits in extremely well with the other materials of the building, but is also clearly different from the original – a very beautiful and effective move. A new, beautiful spiral staircase has also been added, connecting the upper and lower floors, as well as a new, covered veranda that runs the entire length of the main facade – both in the golden metal. The building is really worth a visit.
Olivia Artés Museum. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Olivia Artés Museum. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Olivia Artés Museum. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Olivia Artés Museum. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Sala Beckett - Flores & Prats Architects
In the El Poblenou area we also find the 'Sala Beckett' theatre. Originally built in 1924 as a workers' cooperative, it is safe to say that the building has undergone a lot since then. It was first rebuilt in 1954, after which it was abandoned from 1980 until it was occupied by a self-governing community from 2000. Each stage of the building's life has left its clear traces, and these traces have been preserved in the transformation.
The transformation was carried out by Flores & Prats Architects, who focused on renovating the existing elements of the building. As you walk around the building, you will find many signs of use and various period and stylistic renovations. The only major intervention is the opening of a vertical atrium next to the access areas, which adds much more light, which is what the new use of the building requires. It is a beautiful and patinated building that oozes charm and life. You can either visit the theater and see one of their performances or just visit the theater's café.
Sala Beckett. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Sala Beckett. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Sala Beckett. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
CRAI UPF Biblioteca de la Ciudadela - Clotet, Paricio & Associats
The library 'CRAI de la Ciutadella' is one of four libraries belonging to the university 'Universitat Pompeu Fabra'. The building is located directly opposite the famous park 'Parc de la Ciutadella' in the old town 'Ciutat Vella'. It was originally built as a water reservoir for the park in 1874, but has since, due to its solid construction, served as a pavilion at the World Exhibition in 1888, a hospital, a warehouse, a film studio and even a resting place for migratory birds.
The building was transformed into the library it is today by the architecture firm 'Clotet, Paricio & Associats', created by the two Spanish architects Ignacio Paricio and Lluís Clotet. Here, all internal divisions were removed and only the original stone column structure was left standing. Five skylights were also opened up in the center of the roof to allow more natural light – and this truly creates the finest play of light in the building. Subsequently, two refined prefabricated concrete elements and some uninterrupted mezzanines three meters above the floor of the room were added. This creates a new division in the otherwise enormous spatiality and thus adds more possibilities for staying when reading or spending time in the library. All the newly added elements can be easily removed again – with the exception of the new window openings in the ceiling – and the original structure was not touched during the transformation.
It can be difficult to find the entrance to the library. You first have to cross a road, then enter a completely different building belonging to the university, and then slowly find the underground tunnel – yes, you read that right, an underground tunnel – that leads you up and into the library. But the library is truly worth the search, as its space creates a majestic and truly moving setting for reading – and you are truly a lucky student if you have the opportunity to use this library for your studies.
CRAI UPF Biblioteca de la Ciudadela. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
CRAI UPF Biblioteca de la Ciudadela. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
CRAI UPF Biblioteca de la Ciudadela. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
CRAI UPF Biblioteca de la Ciudadela. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
These are just three of many beautiful transformation projects in Barcelona – so it's all about exploring a city that abounds in culture and architecture.
Image above: Olivia Artés Museum. Photo: Mathilde Wolters.
Sources:
https://arquitecturaviva.com/obras/sala-beckett
https://www.upf.edu/web/biblioteca-informatica/ciutadella
https://www.archdaily.com/956553/museo-oliva-artes-baas-arquitectura