(Unrealized project)

La Plaça de les Olles was one of the most beautiful and complete spaces in the Barri de la Rivera. The architecture surrounding the square kept a remarkable unity, although it extended many decades and culminated in two buildings that were clearly of modernist style and period.

The plot we were working on was only occupied by a ground floor with little architectural interest. The building we had to edify was the last piece needed to complete and enclose this exceptional square.

For this reason, the project can only be explained as an extremely respectful dialogue with the surrounding architecture. Although the special plan for the interior renovation of the eastern sector of Barcelona's historic center (Plà especial de reforma interior del sector oriental del centre històric de Barcelona) already imposed very strict conditions aimed at respecting the architectural characteristics of the neighborhood, I believed that in that emplacement, even more consideration should be given to the built environment.

I considered that, in this square and throughout the old neighborhood in general, there were some very characteristic invariants that were not always taken into account.

One was the generous height of the lower floors, which diminished on the upper levels. In our project, we respected, almost scrupulously, the floor levels of the neighboring buildings, allowing for this elegant reduction in height as we ascended the facade.

Another invariant, which I valued and reproduced, is the succession of balconies: continuous and somewhat deep on the first floor, isolated and with decreasing depths on the upper floors. The design of these balconies, light and with translucent pavement, was very sophisticated and important for the final result.

A very unique characteristic of our plot was that one of its facades –the longest one– overlooked a picturesque passageway, but was only about three meters wide. To achieve acceptable hygienic conditions, sunlight exposure, and quality of life, we set back part of this facade. However, to maintain the volumetric order of the urban ensemble, we created a virtual facade formed by the ground floors, the cornices of the upper levels, and the roof. The interplay between this facade plane –very permeated– and the receded plane –fully glazed– was the most innovative contribution of the project.

Unfortunately, in this case as well, before construction began, the developer, Johnny Regàs, received a purchase offer that he could not resist, and the building ultimately constructed is a disappointment.