This was one of the key topics discussed at the meeting of the Commission for the Centenary, comprised of the Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia and Fira de Barcelona, which continues to make progress in the design of the themes of the programme of commemorative activities and the configuration of the management bodies that will develop it.
The Commission was presented with the winning architectural projects responsible for designing the first three major renovations within the Montjuïc venue, following the decision of the jury of five renowned experts and chaired by the architect Josep Lluís Mateo. Key criteria included optimizing the tradeshow facilities to modernize them, making them more flexible and versatile, under parameters of efficiency, digitalisation and sustainability.
The characteristics of the winning projects were presented today at a press conference attended by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni; the Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain, Jordi Hereu; the Minister of Economy of the Government of Catalonia, Alícia Romero; the President of the Board of Directors of Fira de Barcelona, Pau Relat; the General Manager of Fira, Constantí Serrallonga; and the Architect in Chief of the Barcelona City Council, Maria Buhigas.
New Multifunctional Hall
The winner of the first lot, aimed at the construction of the Multifunctional Hall and the renovation of the current Palau de les Comunicacions, has been the team formed by the architects Smiljan Radić, Miquel Mariné Núñez, Beatriz Borque and Cesar Rueda Bonet whose proposal 2029 Artefacto traces a luminous and monumental complex that is committed to transparency and to liberating the facades through a light metal structure, which provides the complex with permeability to achieve an integration of the new pavilion with the urban environment.
The Multifunctional Hall, built on the current site of the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona and Hall 4, will consist of a large two-storey building with a total of 20,500 m2 of exhibition space and is designed to host all kinds of events. The project includes the creation of a large landscaped walkway of more than 2,000 m2 that joins the two pavilions on the façade of Avenida Maria Cristina and that will be a privileged open-air watchtower that will complement the attractiveness of the buildings.
Past and sustainable future combined
The design chosen in the second lot, which encompasses the construction of the new Palau de Congressos de Barcelona in the current Palau Alfons XIII, has been the one presented by Forgas Architectes, Archambac (Arquitectura Sideral) and Álvaro Alejandro Fernández. Under the theme Umbracle, the proposal outlines a large open-plan and flexible space that gives prominence to natural light. The project is committed to respecting as much as possible the current structure of the hall designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch to create a set of spaces that include a new access from Plaça de Carles Büigas through a lobby and a courtyard-garden, an exhibition hall, a large auditorium with capacity for 2,025 people, as well as several multipurpose and meeting rooms.
The proposal stands out for its sustainability since the new building would be self-sufficient from an energy point of view thanks to the reduction of consumption through high-efficiency installations and energy production through photovoltaic, aerothermal and geothermal systems. In addition, the facility will also have a stormwater collection deposit.
Fira’s New Entryway
Finally, the winner of the third lot, focused on the renovation of the Palau del Vestit to house the Fira Barcelona Innovation Hub, the future permanent innovation centre of the tradeshow institution, has been the team formed by Bjarke Ingels Group and MIAS Arquitectura, whose proposal titled L’Avantsala de la Fira proposes the construction of a functional and flexible three-storey building in the shape of a “Z” surrounded by garden open to the public. The current façade of Plaza España and its set of columns will become an entrance portico to the gardens.
The new facility will combine the original designs of Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Josep Maria Jujol with modern structures designed to accommodate flexible and connected workspaces, meeting rooms, an auditorium for more than 200 people, and a new façade on Gran Via in the shape of sawteeth and crowned by skylights that allow natural lighting of the upper floor.
Commission for the Centenary
At the meeting, the Commission agreed to set up the “Centenary of the 1929 International Exposition: BCN2029” Consortium, made up of the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and Fira de Barcelona, which will be the body in charge of the economic, technical and administrative management of all actions and activities framed in the commemoration of the centenary.
Likewise, the main themes of the program of activities to commemorate the Centenary and the working groups that will develop these initiatives and analyze their feasibility have been appointed. The Commission is committed to recovering the spirit of the 1929 International Exposition based on science, knowledge, culture and innovation as tools to respond to the future challenges of Europe and cities, with a special focus on the climate crisis.
In addition, it also wants to make visible the role of the mountain of Montjuïc and its spaces in the modernisation of society and in the promotion of culture.
