Office for Strategic Places Designs La Carboneria Block
Amy Duong — May 13, 2023 — Art & Design
Spanish design studio Office for Strategic Spaces refurbishes a 19th-century housing block located in Barcelona dubbed La Carboneria. It was previously a neglected yard space and is in the city's Eixample district, which is recognized for its gridded urban plan originally designed by Ildefons Cedrá.
The practice explains that "[The original architect] was forced to plan facades to all four sides of the building, unsure where the main streets would be and which one his building would face. Over a century and a half later, the facade that faced the never-built boulevard had to be recovered, its larger windows unblocked, even if they now overlooked two intersecting party walls instead of Barcelona's version of the Champs Elysées."
Image Credit: Office for Strategic Spaces
The practice explains that "[The original architect] was forced to plan facades to all four sides of the building, unsure where the main streets would be and which one his building would face. Over a century and a half later, the facade that faced the never-built boulevard had to be recovered, its larger windows unblocked, even if they now overlooked two intersecting party walls instead of Barcelona's version of the Champs Elysées."
Image Credit: Office for Strategic Spaces
Trend Themes
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Gridded Urban Design — Designing buildings to fit within gridded urban plans can revitalize neglected spaces and create new opportunities for modernization.
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Sustainable Building Restoration — Revamping old structures with modern design elements can create chic, sustainable living spaces that make use of pre-existing materials.
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Adaptive Reuse — Giving new function to old spaces through adaptive reuse can lead to incredible design innovations that play off of pre-existing features.
Industry Implications
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Architecture — Opportunities for architecture firms to take on sustainable building restoration projects that breathe new life into old structures through modern design.
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Real Estate Development — There is a growing demand for developers with a commitment to sustainable practices and designs, creating new opportunities to develop chic living spaces in neglected areas.
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Urban Planning — Urban planners can create more efficient and inventive living spaces by incorporating adaptive reuse and gridded urban design into plans for neglected areas.
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