Biomimetic Urban Design
December 11, 2024
La Barcelonita | A playground for social & commercial activity
“La Barcelonita” is a strategic intervention of the iconic corner and pedestrian crossroad situated in the open-air retail street of Westfield La Maquinista, in Barcelona (Spain). Drawing inspiration from the characteristic vibrant summer vibes and beach hues of the famous beach of La Barceloneta, we named it “La Barcelonita”, envisioning it as the little sister of La Barceloneta.
The project is a unique street intervention designed with simplicity yet effectiveness in mind. Positioned strategically in a key spot around the iconic corner known as La Quilla, it forms a central hub where various pedestrian pathways converge, encouraging a dynamic circular flow around the intervention, activating the public realm.
Leveraging its location and geometric layout, the entire project revolves around this pedestrian node, acting as a ball joint that articulates a smooth pedestrian transition between one street and the other, while captivating passersby with its shapes and colors.
Pavements and objects are arranged in different stripes radiating from the geometric center of the perfect circle that it inscribes, where each stripe offers user-friendly amenities, including hidden trampolines and floor graphics, as well as volume-based elements like slides, ribbons, and seating features.
Taking advantage of a blank wall, the project features an inhabitable vertical labyrinth with the look & feel of beach cabins, catering to the curiosity of children, inviting them to explore it, climb it, circulate it, and ultimately, leading them to a slide that brings them back to the central playscape area.
Additionally, a Food and Beverage (F&B) Kiosk at the heart of the project contributes to adding a level of commercial dose, boosting sales and drawing in customers.
While “La Barcelonita” primarily functions as a playground, it also serves as a catalyst for commercial activity in the surrounding retail spaces. By increasing foot traffic and extending the time customers spend in La Maquinista’s facilities, the project contributes to enhancing the overall retail experience.
Architects: 100 Architects (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Client: Unibail – Rodamco – Westfield
Design Team: Marcial Jesús, Javier González, Mónica Páez, Lara Broglio, Ponyo Zhao, Keith Gong, Cosima Jiang, Michelle Aldora, Jango Zhang & Yuntong Liu.
Site Area:500 m2
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