Modern Architecture in Barcelona
Barcelona is full of interesting modern architecture
Since the construction of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion for the World Exhibition in 1929, Barcelona has been at the vanguard of modern architecture. The building by Mies van der Rohe is one of the first so called modern buildings in Europe. It came out of the Bauhaus school and brought with it a whole new way of thinking architecture. The change in style is especially significant in Barcelona. Until the 1920's, Barcelona had been completely dominated by Art Nouveau (called modernisme in Catalan). With funcionalism came a style that was at the same time classic and modern, but first of all was radically opposed to the baroque and ornamented style of Art Nouveau.
However, even though early functionalism is closely linked with Barcelona, it it is not until recent years that vanguardist modernism "came back to" Barcelona. Of course there are exceptions (one significant one is the Fundació Miró by Josep Lluis Sert, a Catalan architect that worked with Le Corbusier in Paris around 1930).
The Olympic Games and its significance for Barcelona
In many ways the celebration of the Olympic Games in 1992 meant the beginning of a new era - also in the field of architecture. In the years up to The Olympic Games Barcelona entered a process of construction that really hasn't stopped again. Old industrial areas were rehabilitated, new parks were designed and a total of more than 300 new buildings were planned by approximately 150 architects .Since then, new interesting, modern architecture has continued to come up in Barcelona. Today Barcelona offers an overwhelming amount of fascinating, modern buildings that have changed the urban landscape of Barcelona radically. To name just a few: Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, Jean Nouvel, Richard Rogers, Zaha Hadid as well as local architects like Enric Miralles and Ricard Bofill have been building in Barcelona over the last two decades.
Enric Miralles' Gas Natural building (click the photo to see it in higher resolution)
We recommend these modern architecture buildings in Barcelona
To help you choose a few of the most interesting of Barcelonas modern buildings, here is a list of some of the best works.
Hotel W by Ricard Bofill
A beautiful building that houses one of the best hotels in Barcelona. The building looks like a sail, thus the nickname "Hotel Sail" (Hotel Vela in Spanish) and therefore the comparison with famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai.Hotel W has several interesting restaurants and bars, among these the eclipse bar on the 26th floor, and the Restaurant Bravo on the first run by local gourmet chef Carles Abellan (read more about Barcelonas best restaurants). The building rises towards the sky from the marina in the southern part of Barceloneta. The building has been critized for being too close to the sea by environmental associations, but it is also acclaimed for being one of the most interesting works of architecture in Barcelona over the last years.
The architect Ricard Bofill, is also the designer of the Terminal 1 and 2 in the Airport of Barcelona and The National Theater (Teatre Nacional de Catalunya). Abroad he has among other things built the wine cellars of the acclaimed Château Lafite Rothschild.
The Communication Tower by Santiago Calatrava
Santiago Calatrava had his breakthrough in Barcelona with this beautiful communications tower. Calatrava rose to fame and was for the first time seen as a coming superstar in architecture. Since then Calatrava has been building in New York, Zurich, Venice, etc.The communications tower is a both unique an aesthetically close-to-perfection structure on the Montjuïc Hill in Barcelona that looks like a white dart beeing thrown at the sky. It can be seen from most points in Barcelona and is today one of the main architectonical attractions of the city. Early drawings and sketches from Calatrava's hand show that the inspiration comes from a kneeling woman.
The base of the antenna can be seen as a tribute to local architect Antoni Gaudí. It consists of a mosaic of broken tiles in the style of Gaudi's trencadís found in so many of his works: (the rooftops of Palau Güell, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and also in the famous, meandering bench in Park Güel)l. The Communication Tower changes perspective from different angles, so when you visit it, be sure to walk around it.
Mercat Santa Catarina by Miralles/Tagliabue
The Santa Catarina Market, close to La Seu Cathedral, was the first covered market to be built in Barcelona (1848), using the space left by the demolishment of the Santa Catarina convent. In 2005 the market was completely rennovated by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue from EMBT.The idea of the complex structure of the roof comes from the school designed for Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí. The structure has the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid, one of the favorite geometrical forms of Gaudí.
The Museum of Modern Art (MACBA) by Richard Meiers
The American architect Richard Meier built the Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona in 1995. Before the construction of the museum this area was a worn down quarter but after the building process finished , new cafés, restaurants, hotels, etc. began to come up close to the museum. Also the space was opened in front of the musem on the Plaça dels Angels.
The museum is a characteristical white building, typical of Meiers other works (for example the Ghetty Museum in Los Angeles). The building is also used for other purposes than exposing art, here among the electronic music festival Sonar.
Torre de Gas Natural by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue
This building made out of steel and glass surprises many visitors in Barcelona with its controversial structure. A long "arm" of glass comes out from the main tower and looks like it is suspended in the air. It was built in 2007 by two of the most popular architects in Barcelona over the last decades. The buildings is used as headquarters of Gas Natural.Torre de Collserola by Sir Norman Foster
Norman Fosters Communications tower on Tibidabo is located on top of the Tibidabo Mountain and visible from most places in Barcelona. The tower is 288 meters high, being the highest structure in Spain. A panoramic viewpoint
with splendid views of the city of Barcelona is accessible.More highlights of Modern Architecture in Barcelona
Here are five more buildings that may be of interest during your stay in Barcelona.
Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel
Jean Noveuls Torre Agbar is without a doubt one of the most spectacular buildings in Barcelona. 140 meters high. Les Arenes by Sir Richard Rogers
The Arenes, an old bullfighting ring, has been lifted up 5 meters and converted into a modern shopping mall with restaurants, shops, cinemas and a museum. You can enjoy spectacular views from the roof. Richard Rogers was the head architect who led the project.The Forum Building by Herzog and de Meuron
This triangular building that seems to be hovering over the ground without any support (just a few pillars support its weight) was the main building designed for cultural festival Forum 2004. Is is a spectacular triangular blue building inspired by the Mediterranean Sea. It is designed by the two Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron.
Porta Fira Hotel by Toyo Ito
The building designed by Toyo Ito (with help from the design studio b720 Arquitectos headed by Fermín Vázquez) is 110 meters high and one of the most intriguing structures of the Hospitalet suburb of Barcelona. There are two towers as tribute to the two Venetian Towers at Plaza España. Toyo Ito designed more buildings in Barcelona - if you liked his hotel, remember to check out the Suites Avenue on Passeig de Gracia.
The Telefonica building by Enric Massip
The 110 meter high Diagonal ZeroZero Tower by Enric Massip Bosch from 2011 is one of the most interesting building that have been built in Barcelona over the last years. The building has 24 storeys. It is often compared with Toyo Itos famous building in Tokyo Tod's Omotesando.Bac de Roda Felipe II bridge
Another interesting project by Santiago Calatrava that goes all the way back to the Valencian architect's beginning in the 1980’s. The bridge was designed in 1987, and even though it may not be as spectacular as other structures by Calatrava, it is still worth a visit. It is located in a dull housing area in the outskirts of Barcelona.
Communications Tower by Santiago Calatrava (click the photo to see it in higher resolution))We recommend to visit the Diagonal Mar zone:
The Diagonal Mar (also called the Forum Area) is the area in Barcelona with some of the most interesting modern architecture to be visited. The area is ideal if you are short on time and do not have a car to get around.
You can start with the main building in the area, the Forum Building (see above) by the Swiz architects Herzog & de Meuron. Close by, you will find Josep Lluís Mateo's Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) and the Diagonal ZeroZero Tower by Enric Massip Bosch (see above). In a few years you will also be able to visit Zaha Hadid's Torre Espiral, but it is still uncertain when it will be finished.
Closer to the sea you will see a beautiful structures arise, the Photovoltaic Power Plant by Martinez Lapeña - Torres Arquitectos, providing electricity to more than 1000 houses in the area Diagonal Mar Area. If you continue up the Diagonal Street (in the direction of the city center) and you will see the funny looking Diagonal Mar Park designed by Enric Miralles on your left hand. If you continue along the Diagonal street you will get to another parc, designed by Jean Nouvel. Not many people visit this but it is still worth a visit.
A little further up the Diagonal street you will come to Hotel Me by Dominique Perrault, a design hotel with lounge music and trendy restaurants. At the top you can visit the Dos Cielos restaurant (1 Michelin Star). Since now you are getting to Glories, you can easily reach Jean Nouvel's Torre Agbar (see above) and the brand new Barcelona Disseny Hub by MBM (Martorell, Bohigas & Mackey), both located at the Glories roundabout.
The future - new buildings to come in Barcelona
One of the most interesting projects in the future is the Torre Espiral by Zaha Hadid. However, the building will not be finished before at least a couple of years have passed. Another hyped project by Hadid is the Plaça de les Arts. A last project to look forward to is Frank Gehry's La Segrera Station, a spectacular building project that is in the freezer for a few years since the constructor is short on money.
L'Auditori by Rafael Moneo in Barcelona (click the photo to see it in higher resolution)
We offer you the following tours to Barcelona's modern architecture
Modern Architecture
Read about the Barcelona modern Architecture Tour
Comprehensive Tour
Read more about the Comprehensive City Tour
register number: ESB65632929)
