Architects: Estudio Carme Pinós
Area: 11,010 m²
Year: 2017
Photography: Duccio Malagamba
Lead Architects: Carme Pinós Desplat
Team Project: Samuel Arriola, Elsa Martí, Roberto Carlos García, Holger Hennefarth, Blanca Perote, Ana Isabel Rodríguez, Inés Senghour, Francisco Olivas
Architectural Model: Miquel Lluch
Structural Engineering: BOMA – MASALA Consultors
MEP Engineering: INDUS Ingeniería y Arquitectura
Direction Of Execution: ENTROPIA – PCG
Builder: UTE Massana (ACCIONA – COPCISA)
Client: Public – Consorci d’Educació de Barcelona
City: Barcelona
Country: Spain
Escola Massana, the Art and Design Center by Carme Pinós Desplat, brings a fresh architectural presence to Gardunya Square in Barcelona. Completed in 2017, the 11,000 m² building features rotating volumes oriented toward the square, creating terraces that integrate well with the surrounding architecture. Its façade not only emphasizes the building’s sculptural appearance but also provides privacy for students, enhancing the visual and functional cohesion of this historic part of the city.
As part of a larger redevelopment in Barcelona’s historic center, Escola Massana harmonizes with Gardunya Square’s urban landscape.
The design aligns closely with the square’s architectural rhythm, contributing an open and inviting space. Its spacious, light-filled interiors and thoughtful exterior design offer a seamless extension to the area, reinforcing its cohesive aesthetic and public appeal.
The building is segmented in both volume and façade design to correspond with the neighboring architecture. To introduce a sculptural quality and reduce visual mass, the segment of the building facing the square is divided into two rotated volumes, creating distinct terraces. These rotations give the structure a distinctive appearance while enhancing its integration within the urban context.
A ceramic cladding reminiscent of a “brise soleil” covers the façade, emphasizing the building’s form and providing privacy for students. This feature serves both aesthetic and functional roles, enhancing the overall volumetric character and controlling views into the school.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 9 Plaça de la Gardunya, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona 08001, Spain
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
