Contemporary Architecture Tour

If phallic symbols and other sundry ego-trips are your cup of tea, then get your inspirational injection here! An architect (whacky glasses and aluminium briefcase optional) will act as your guide to explain how competition between the titanic egos of internationally-famed architects is shaping a unique district. This tour takes in some of the areas subject to the most ambitious redevelopment Barcelona has seen in recent years –Poble Nou and the Diagonal Mar area. We’ll be looking at some prestigious, award-winning projects (including the Torre Agbar, Design Museum, the Fòrum building) by world-renowned architects (Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield, Oriol Bohigas, etc.) considering them both on their own merits and their impact, individual and collective, on the surrounding area.  Aspects looked at will include smart design, planning issues and sustainability (e.g. how a nitrogen capsule contributes to insulating a building).

Check out our gallery for pictures!

We will be lingering awhile in the 22@ district, which the authorities want to become a high-tech “hub”, where different technology companies come together and cross-fertilise: Poble Nou was once the industrial driving force behind Barcelona’s growth: now, the local government wants this to be the case again, only this time with bleeding-edge ICT nerdustries.
 
Practical advantage shall also be taken of a feature of one of these modern architectural masterpieces: i.e., refreshment on a roof terrace of one of the new hotels, to drink in the surroundings (and perhaps a cocktail!).