‘Architecture’ blog category archive

Designers and architects are now, more then ever, facing their greatest challenge – the future of the city. With recent statistics showing that 41% of Europe’s energy consumption accounts solely for heating and cooling buildings. It’s apparent, by continuing our current model of fossil fuel reliance the demand for consumption is unsustainable. If we examine our constructed environment, it’s clear that the buildings where we work and co-habit are actually working against us. A typical 21^st century city consists mainly of inert architecture that consumes enormous quantities of resources. Should we therefore fear the cities of tomorrow?

Designers and architects are now, more then ever, facing their greatest challenge – the future of the city.

‘We have no need or desire to take on projects of this nature.’ Xavier Trias – the mayor of Barcelona.

So started the debate last week over the proposed ‘Barcelona Island’ project. A 300 meter hotel on a Dubai style artificial island off Barcelona’s coast.

Like a megalomaniac playing Sim City, the proposed project, the tallest European hotel, literally towers over the continent. Incorporating a zero gravity spa, vertical wind tunnel and space theme.

So, does outlandish spectacle architecture have a place in a modern cultural city? Buildings designed solely to attract attention. Non-conformist structures at odds with their character and surroundings, like circus big-tops shouting for our attention.

The Barcelona Island proposal is undoubtedly the extreme, however, Barcelona since the Olympics in 1992 have experienced a number of renowned and acclaimed architects all putting their own mark on this city. The latest being, the Barcelona born, Ricardo Bofill. His W hotel drew obvious comparisons to Dubai and the architectural philosophies of the ‘new’ Middle East.

Another controversial proposal at the time, it has know been generally accepted but somewhat begrudgingly by many. With it’s position now established on the new entrance of Barcelona’s port.

Mercat de Santa Caterina

Over the next few months Studio P10 will be blogging about the iconic buildings, designs, architects & designers who have splashed their colourful imprint on this Mediterranean city.

We start the series with Mercat de Santa Caterina. During the 7 year process from commission the architects experienced a multitude of set backs including the discovery of a Dominican monastery from 1835, ruins of a late Roman necropolis and what is thought to be the first Gothic church in the city dating from 1241.

This backstory, entwined in the fabric of the architecture, and the tragic death of the visionary and partner architect, Enric Miralles, who died suddenly in 2000. Before he could walk the floor & taste the fruits of his labour, make the Santa Caterina market a truly iconic and defining landmark in Barcelona.

With the price of city property reaching astronomic proportions in the 21^st century, and first time buyers struggling to even reach the property ladder, let alone put a foot on it.

The last few years have witnessed a growing trend towards the concept of micro-living. These spaces usually under 40m2, range in their complexities. Examples such as Gary Chang’s Apartment 24 and Simon Woodroffe’s Yo! Home, offer complex solutions to an age-old problem. The creation of space within limited boundaries.

However, does the solution need to be so complicated? With housing shortages now effecting American cities, the originators of ‘big is beautiful’ are now starting to think that good things really do come in small packages.

AdaptNYC, a pilot program launched in New York City to look at proposals for micro-units are searching for the new American Dream. The winners of the competition propose a mixture of pre-fabricated construction and snap-on architecture to deal with the chronic housing shortage in Manhattan.

Many of the suggested schemes follow the same concept of Kisho Kurokawa’s, 1972 Capsule Tower, a pioneer of the metabolist movement, using scalable and stackable modular architecture. Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67, being another famous example of a trend, now witnessing resurgence. With shipping containers the new theme currently replacing the asbestos boxes in many projects seen world-wide.