DATE

10.07.2026

Originally projected in the 1950s by Joaquim Gili and Francesc Bassó and awarded the FAD Prize in 1961, the building stands out as one of the great gems of Catalan rationalism. Hidden and protected inside a block of the Eixample district, the complex is notable for its industrial character, its constructive rationality, and a remarkable structural clarity that results in large open spaces, making it ideal for its new cultural function.

From a technical and urban planning perspective, the design and intervention criteria align with the principles of rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. The project prioritizes sustainability and the permanence of the existing built urban fabric, committing to the environment by taking advantage of existing material resources and minimizing the ecological impact that demolition and a subsequent new build would entail.

The core of the architectural proposal focuses on preserving and highlighting each of the original elements that give the building its identity. The technical design challenge consists of adapting the large open-plan spaces to the requirements of the new museum and dissemination activities, while doing so without altering the constructive logic or the modular order with which the building was originally conceived in the 20th century.

This same design guarantees full functional compatibility that meets contemporary regulatory requirements. The intervention will update the complex in essential areas such as universal accessibility, evacuation safety, and energy efficiency. Thanks to this balanced renovation, the former publishing house will be transformed into a facility ready to establish itself as the great epicenter of Barcelona’s architectural culture.

MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

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