Plaza Espanya, Barcelona

7/31/2019 Plaza Espanya, Barcelona

1/18

Nicholas Orthodox Socrates.

Urban Design: Art City Society. 2008

PLAZA ESPANYA & the Maria Christina Avenue

The road up to Plaza Espanya Gran Via de les

Courts Catalanes has two rows of tress on both

sides of each walkway/ each rambla with cars onthe both the outer side and inside going in both

directions.

Shops, offices, a car showroom and a car parkoccupy the buildings ground floor, above are

offices, with mainly apartments down this streettowards Plaza Espanya.

Approaching Plaza Espanya from this rambla,Gran Via de les Courts Catalanes, it is very

exciting. To the left cars are driving to Plaza

Espanya, and to the right the cars are coming up from the underpass and also two lanes from this

direction but along the main level from the roundabout.

The whole space opens up as it is approached, with the great ancient

monument in the middle as a centre piece, in the middle of theroundabout

The monument is so grand so ancient. It is alive with celebration.There is so much high energy on the ground level as the cars wiz

around the roundabout in both directions. The monuments stone,

what it is made of, is changing colour in different areas. Some areas

have been cleaned in previous years, making some areas lighter andsome areas darker, which gives this monument great character, with

different shades makes it very interesting it is alive, with its own

history.

To the right, the grand bullring is being

converted into a shopping centre. This is avery big project - such a great idea. This

building is being raised off the ground.

This building has a very interesting roof.To the side of this old bullring building is

an ultra modern glass extension, under

construction. Its appearance is very

smooth, with a very strongly curved


2/18

faade. It has four tall floors. This building is also raised off its ground, resting on a low roof of a

long one-story, pavilion style extension.

Opposite the old bullring/ the new shopping centre,

aligned with the up current exit of the underpass, are

two very similar buildings, under construction.

Situated next to each other adjacent, but rotated 20degrees towards each other. Their facades are almost

identical. Connecting them to one another by a very

interesting passage, making this a very interestingwork of abstract architecture too.

The Servi Fira building, immediately to the left is a metro entrance and exit and across the

pavement and cycle path, from here, thereis access to the Bicing revolution. Once the

street is crossed there is another metroentrance and exit.

Crossing the first street with the bicingsparked so neatly in repetition so

beautiful. The cars stop and wait patiently

whilst the people cross the street towards

the two towers such a great momentseeing every one look and feel so happy to

be living amongst this magnificent space.

The crossing island has two small green

areas either side. Both green spaces are the size of two cars each. The space on the left, away

from the round about, has small bushes planted there, with a tree in the middle. The other greenspace, against the roundabout, has just one tree planted in the middle of its grass area. This tree

alone looks rather bear and isolated, quite scared from the being so close to the movement of all

the traffic. This green area, nearest the roundabout, is finished to a point similar to a triangle,

fitting to shape the road around the roundabout dividing the incoming traffics road from theoutgoing.

Now, you arrive on the Plaza Espanya, and the pavement is pink and it is made of tiles, and thetiles have a symmetrical rainbow pattern which is repeated through out. Of course they are still

hard like usual tarmac, but there really is a significant difference in its tactile experience. It feels

so much lighter to walk on, softer even. There is more freedom here more space.

The underground Metro has connections with the green line (line 3 ), the red line (line 1 ) and the

pink link (line 8). Here, there are also connections with the separate private Cataloniaunderground system.

Rising up, coming up from the Metro Station is an absolutely fantastic experience. From being in

an enclosed space to a sudden opening onto the brilliant scene and of the movement of energy

and the great combination of architecture: ancient, old, modern and super modern.


3/18

There are two Metro entrances and exits here, and they are both equally as buisy.

There is a tourist information kiosk box installed in the centre the space, of the first part of PlazaEspanya, in between the two Metro entrances and exists. It is bright orange and bluey/ green

with a photo/ an advertisement of the convertible (open top) double-decker tourist sight seeing

bus, also layered behind this image is a Joan Miro painterly styled eye.

This tourist information box installed is approximately 3 metres cubed. It has two very helpfuland knowledgeable attendants working inside. They help to answer general questions about the

city usually questions about directions of places to go to. When there is a queue it is always

moving at good speed. Raised above this very colourful box is the universal i symbol forinformation.

By the two Metro entrances and exits there is the instalment of a giant Metro map behindPerspex plastic. The public look up to

this map with great respect. Everyone

here is so grateful and proud ofBarcelonas wonderful Metro system,

which is so easy, relaxed, so cleanand open with lots of space and the

trains arrive always so regularly -

what a great system.Around the stairs and down to the

Metro the hand rail, the tall pole

with the symbolic sign, next

the large (almost religious) Metromaps casing (its structure) - are all

made` from a very good quality shiny

stainless steel

In between the two towers and the two twin buildings next to

each other (under construction), exists the Fira building. Thisis an ancient building with many columns, and the very tall

spaces in between each of these columns has been converted/

replaced with reflective glass.

As the sunsets the windows of the Fira building change

colour completely reflecting the setting sun it is so

awesome.

Now in the vicinity of the huge Fira building, (Servi Fira), a

huge ancient building.This ancient building actually appears super modern, with its

highly reflective huge and very tall glass panels (its windows)

installed in between this huge buildings arch ways and twelvecolumns (on the Plaza Espanya side) and twenty of them along

the Avinguda del Parellel side.


4/18

You walk up six steps onto this Fira

Buildings plinth a huge expansive

platform.Here, on this slightly higher platform,

it is always a lot less buisy than on the

pavement, only metres away.

As well as the two metro stationentrance/ exits there is also a major

bus stop

The space is so open, such a massive

roundabout with six roads turning off

from/ leading to it. The cars arecoming and going in all directions

always a high energy.

At some points in time the traffic is denser and noisier than at others, because of the traffic lights

stopping cars at the ends of joining roads, and at some points half way around the round theroundabout.

The tension builds up completely as a 4 to six lane queue of cars waits there. The lights turn

green and the wound up tension releases in a sudden roar of traffic. This is happening at all sixentrances and exits to and from the round about.

The roundabout has a lovely grass lawn on which the great monument exists. No one is ever seen

on this lawn, on the roundabout, it seems to be a complete no mans land: it is too much in thecentre of all the action.

I would like to see people enjoying this lawn: eating their lunch, talking, sitting down, relaxing

right in the middle of this magnificent open space Plaza Espanya.

On the other side of the twin towers there is an almost identical building to the Fira building,

which exists there symmetrically, with the towers in the middle. This building is also a ServiFira building.

This building has two huge banners/ billboard size posters, as advertisements stretching the

length of this buildings facade one on either side. One is pink and the other is blue. These

advertisements are very temporary and are likely to be removed, and then changed very soon.Yes, they are advertisements, and they do obstruct from the general symmetrical beauty of the

ancient architecture, but they are very bright and colourful and vibrant, bringing joy and life to a

large area. Also they act as juxtapositional parts to a greater compositional whole: the pink inrelation to the pinkish brick of the two towers closely to the left complemented by the two

Catalonia and Spanish Flags: yellow and red, flying together, hosted on flag poles on either side

of the two towers. With the yellow cased traffic lights dotted around the whole area of the entiresquare and beyond, some high, some over the road, and some standard height - makes my eyes

look around in wonder. The black and yellow taxis, the yellow being the colour of the four doors

with a yellow stripe at the back too connects this composition. Also the two very tall craneseither side of the old bull ring building/ the new shopping centre and another yellow one behind

it expands my awareness immensely up to the brilliant aluze blue Mediterranean sky.


5/18

Now looking down the road the windows

of the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star

hotel, building and its analogue clock, thesilvery/ blue Torre Alianz building in

front of the Alinaz red high-tech building

and the Torre Nunez Navarro building in

the distance, are all almost translucentagainst the silvery high energy sky. So is t

new glass extension on the side of the old

bull ring/ new shopping centre, and so is thehighly reflective glass panels installed in the

arch ways of the two ancient buildings both

occupied by the Servi Fira company,symmetrically situated perfectly either side

of the two red twin towers.

he

The tarmac is a neutral colour and the very red metro signs and further human size, (six foot)

advertisements, now red and green, though constantly changing every month.All these colours are all acting together to create this wonderful composition of Plaza Espanya.

And all the cars: coming and going a greater harmony. It is so ordered. It is so harmonious.

The occasional bright orange convertible sight-seeing bus, or a super modern purple travellingtour coach such wonderful visual surprises. The common colours of regular cars are reflective

white and black. The extended red public bus are regularly passing by.

The brick work of the two towers, the primary school on the Gran Via de les Courts Catalanes

situated in between the far Fira building and the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star hotel, andthe old bullring are all aligned sacredly in a perfect equilateral triangle. And the high-tech red

reflective glass of the very tall Allianz building is aligned with the two towers, and the great

Maria Christina Avenue. This Red high-tech building extends the awareness, drawing it furtherdown street: Carrer Tarragona

On the street; Carrer Tarragona, at thefar end of the Joan Miro Park, by his

huge and colourful ceramic sculpture,

which exists in a concrete pool, which in

the summer time is surrounded by water.It is placed in the far corner of the park,

by the road. The park, which I divided,

half with grass and half with a pavedarea. This great sculpture is in the area of

the huge expansive paved space a very

large area, with exotic palm trees on thefar border, in the background.

Now, from here looking towards Plaza

Espanya the paved park extends turning into a grass area. This grass area is not as wide as the paved area, but is slightly longer.

The grass area is approximately the size of a football pitch. At the end of this park - is the

gigantic old bullring/ the new shopping centre under construction. Immediately to the left is its

new glass extension. Both their facades are curved convexly outwards.


6/18

This shopping centre will really change this area quite significantly. There are so many offices

in this area. Here, in this area, it is so buisy, especially in the mornings as people commute towork. Plaza Espanya is the main Metro link to a lot of these prestigious offices in this area.

On this street, Carrer Tarragona, the majority of the buildings are in fact offices, with four

supermodern high-rise offices buildings. There are council flats/ states apartments, on this road,

behind the park and residential units, for one block above the shops and ground floor offices.This street, with four lanes going both ways, is very buisy with cars, leading to and from the

roundabout at Plaza Espanya.

Apart from the four very small outdoor cafes on the second level of the Maria Christina Avenue,

and the very small caf on the ground floor next to the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star hotel

there really is not enough places for the workers of all these offices to get out and sit down toenjoy there break at lunch time, or for the tourists/ the holiday makers or the local citizens

wanting to enjoy the Plaza Espanya area to sit down for refreshments and to relax.

The opening of the new shopping centre will definitely, without doubt, completely

revolutionalise this entire area. This shopping centre will be so buisy.The visitors of the Plaza Espanya and the Maria Christina Avenue, will be drawn towards the

new shopping centres facilities. Acting as a complete change in environments, a break from one

another, therefore time for reflection, and then maybe the opportunity to rest and then re-visit.This process will happen both ways: people using the shopping centre, will be inclined also to

explore the Maria Christina Avenue, even more. These two spaces: the Maria Christina Avenue/

Plaza Espanya and the new shopping centre will create a very strong, very exciting synergy.

The shape and size of the old bullring/ the new shopping centre is magnificent it is so grand. Its

original structure preserved completely intact. This will become an iconic building in Barcelona

and in Spain, and also a great example for restoration and regeneration for the entire world ofarchitecture.

Leading to Plaza Espanya from Carrer de la Creu Coberta is a buisy road. There are no offices

on this road. There are shops on the ground floor, with apartments above them - all the waydown.

From the other side of the road: Gran Via de les Courts Catalanes is yet another magnificent

approach to Plaza Espanya. This street is very wide, with four lanes on both sides going in bothdirections. There is an entrance only to an underpass, going under the roundabout, which re-

emerges on the other side.

Mainly this street consists of big blocks of residential apartments on both sides with lot of cafesand restaurants and with the odd pharmacy and newsagent on their ground floor at street level.

There is also the large 4 star: Ayre Hotel.

Up from here toward Plaza Espanya, on its same side is the side of the right Fira building. Thisside, unlike its almost identical twin symmetrically on the other sides, facade, has no columns

and it has no highly reflective tall glass panels. It is quite a bear huge wall, as it is situated quite

close to the main road.

On this street, Gran Via de les Courts Catalanes looking up towards Plaza Espanya it really is

quite an awesome view from here: with the two towers on the right, then the other Fira building

with its fifteen very tall reflective glass panels in between its columns. The general feel to this


7/18

entrance, approaching this opening is tremendous. From here it is possible to look right down

both roads: the other side of, Gran Via de les Courts Catalanes, which continues straight across

after the round about, and Avinguda Paral-lel, with the twin buildings, under construction, inthe middle, separating the two roads with the vast sky above, such a wonderful open space.

With the magnificent monument in the middle, then the huge old bullring/ the new shopping

centre to the left, then the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star hotel coming into view the whole

thing: what an amazing composition.The Primary school: a fenced off area - the playground where lots of young children are

playing basketball and football. This school is on the corner, with such a great views of the entire

Plaza Espanya area what a great position for a school for young children. There really is suchgreat energy here: the children playing, the cars moving past in all direction, the incredible

architecture - what a great variety.

The building of the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star hotels faade is very modern, with many

windows and its huge analogue clock.

There is a very small caf to the right in the same building overlooking the roundabout, PlazaEspanya, and down the Maria Christina Avenue.

Approaching Plaza Espanya from Avinguda de Paral-lel, the great opening comes as quite a

surprise as it only opens up completely once the corner is turned past the side wing if the Firabuilding. This side wing does have columns and does have the very tall highly reflective glass

window panels in between each column.

This street apart from this ancient building has mainly shops, banks, and cafes on the ground

floors with residential apartments on the floors above. There are two very large office buildingson the right hand side of this road towards Plaza Espanya including one which is brightly

coloured yellow and the other being the company; Once, which exists on the corner, of two

roads going off from this street, with its entire faade glazed almost translucent. Plus the newtwin office buildings under construction over looking the Plaza Espanya.

Sitting down in the shade watching the people enjoying this wonderful space is a great pleasure.

It is great to get out of the small enclosures within the city centre. Here I feel good. Here I am

experiencing a great sense of freedom.

The actual official Plaza Espanya its surface area is rather small it is the paved area eitherside of the two towers, in front of the two very large ancient Fira buildings, with their very tall,

highly reflective glass installed in between each column. These columns and these glass panels

are magnificent - they are amazing. how they reflect, so clearly, the square, the surroundingarea and the sky. From a distance the reflection appears abstract, close up the panels mirror

precisely.

Both areas are divided by the road heading up: the Avenue of Maria Christina, in between the

two towers. Both areas together are no bigger than a professional football pitch. However, the

entire place is massive. My personal sense of awareness is outstretched way past the roundabout,with Mount Tibidabo as the backdrop. Here, the sky is so big, so open. There is so much space.


8/18

There is so much free space here, allowing me to stand around and breathe in the place and to

write this. Here there really is no need to be rushed about by the ever faster comings and goings

of the hectic hustle and bustle of what has become normal city life.Here, people are really taking it easy: standing around, thinking, looking, feeling the atmosphere,

the environment. People are walking around or passing through slowly together, sitting relaxing

on the steps of the Servi Fira building, by the two towers in the shade or bathing in the sun.

People here, come and go and walk contently down the stairs into the metro.

Maria Christina AvenueAs the corner is turned onto the Maria Christina Avenue it is absolutely amazing. This is a true

scene of beauty. What a picture. It is so beautiful. The whole scene it is perfect. The

National Museum of Art of Catalunya in the background raised up, looks like a temple or amajestic castle. Perfectly symmetrical, with perfect form.

Its flesh coloured skin with the green treesand grass lining the outside of each side of

both outer pathway going forward to thecastle - up to its centre. These side

pathways are so grand.

Everyone is drawn along the pathway

towards the castle absolutely amazed by its

magnificence. It proudly radiates dignity

and accomplishment, with a sense ofhonour and integrity.

This castle in the sky is a great source of

inspiration for us all.

The walkway is amazing its Victorian street lights lining the inside of both outer pathways.

There are so many lights along this pathway.The colour of these streetlights white glass and the black metal casing line and point the way to

the castle by day and by night the lights illuminate the way.

As the sunsets the lights come on it

really is very romantic. The pavementis made of very large slabs, of a very

smooth and shiny stone reflecting

the lights brightly all the way alongthis level.

Very tall bushy trees on both sides lthe facades of both Fira build

The side faade of these two buildin

also have very tall highly reflectivglawss panels installed in betwee

columns. An original though was that

the trees are blocking and hiding these

mirrors. But the trees exist here for the

ineings.

g,

en its


9/18

benefit of the greater composition of the magnificence of this walkway.

The two towers up close become even more mysterious as of their use. On both sides, just past

s.

ll away along the outer side of each outer pathways are

he side entrance to the Serv

urther up the walkway on this same outer left hand side, is thet

is g

court very Imperial.

utside this front of the Servi Fira

.5

,

to

h

n other one of the three objects is the typical Barcelona traditional coloured open phone booth:

he third object is an extremely unique signpost so tall, it rises above the tall trees, it rises

is

the towers there is a huge plinth, actually bigger, than the base of the towers. This plinth is

made of a clean whitish/ light grey/ cream stone. It is around twelve foot tall the size of a bu

Now, on top of these plinths are five huge balls, where flag-poles are concreted into them - three

flags are flying here: The flag of Barcelona, Catalonia, andSpain.

Abenches and bushes two benches then two bushes. This

pattern is repeated all the way to the end of this level to

the escalators. The two bushes are the size of one benchand they are just below shoulder height, when sitting

down.

T i Fira building is also very grand.

Steps lead up to the wide double glass door entrance. There isalso an adjacent side ramp.

Flarge entrance in line with the zebra crossing coming out, at righ

angles on the Maria Christina Avenue; is the opening to the Servi

very grand, also symmetrical. It looks like an army marchin

Fira expansive court yard. It

O

buildings main side entrance, whichis on the side a-joining the left outer

walkway: there are three significant

objects. Most blatantly is the giganticbillboard type welcome sign. The

sign its self is 15 metres wide and 2

metre high. It is raised above the

ground by two ridiculously strongthink and heavy steel strut columns,

approximately 9 metres above the

ground to allow for trucks and vansdrive, left off the central avenue,

across the outer walkway, underneat

the sign to enter the Fira court yard.

A

aluminous green and bright blue.

T

above the flagpoles, it even rises above the buildings themselves. This remarkable instalment

so brave. Just looking at it its height, is enough to give anyone the metaphysical gollie-


10/18

wobbels. Now, on this signpost just below eye level is a very ordinary, very simple map.

map of this first level of the Maria Christina Avenue. The map is very colourful and when

looked at closely it is actually three-dimensional. To the side of this very lanky sign-post isattached a not so elegant six foot information board laminated in Perspex. The actual signpo

a neutral grey colour similar to the tarmac. It is made from matt steel. It does still shine a little

it is a silvery grey. Half way up the post to its top is large numbers labelled in different colours

it is a key relating to the map. From here ones awareness is immediately relates to an almostidentical replica, sign post, match - pasted at a similar height on the side of the Fira buildings

faade inside the court yard the two match up. Also on the adjacent wing, of the court yard,

at the same height is just pasted only the number three, which is of generic text and size to theother sign posts. There are also several other of these sign post, on both sides, which are

discovered as one walks the avenue. People looking for the way to certain buildings can l

the key provided to the side of the main posts to reference it in real life.People seem to walk past these sign-posts. They seem to be either unconsc

It is a

st is

ook on

ious of it, because it is

his walkway by day really is very splendid. The sun reflecting off the shinny pavement surface

ay

ars are often driving quite busily up the main avenue, the middle walkway. This avenue is the

his street is often closed temporarily for organised out door functions like: fairs and trade

art

h

e

f r

so sleek and sexy it just fits in, or the people choosing other-than-consciously to ignore it they

have seen enough over whelmed. Henceforth this instalment is a living embodiment of amiraculous integrated phenomena.

T

and the cars parked on both sides of the middle walk way. These cars parked all the way along

this main central road exist in harmony with the avenue and add to the flow of this spacesperspective composition - its walkway leading us gently up to the castle, which by mid-d

appears hazy, almost a complete silluette, in the distance. The sun beaming from above and

behind the museum

C

road running through the two towers, which turns left and right at the end of the first level of the

walkways going underneath both escalators, in both directions street Avenue Rius i Taulet

T

exhibitions, Also thisLevel of the avenue

accommodates the st

and finish of city races,

such as the Marcee 10kmrun (the mini marathon),

where thousands of very

keen sports enthusiastscongregate on this main

avenues adjacent road,

Avenue Rius i Tauletto start their race. The

main avenue is the finis

and after running theselected city circuit, th

towers are strong points o

avenue, but from the towers to the finish line is such a great final stretch. It really is such a

joyous occasion. Every one is there crowed out the two outer walkways of this avenue

eference, an end goal. The finish line is actually half way up the


11/18

watching the runners finishing their race, realising their goal, reaching the final destination.

There is lots of cheering and support. There are massive celebration banners and large inflata

advertisements. Also there is a huge overhead digital clock counting the minutes and secondspast since the starting whistle. All this great celebration going on plus the fountain, which

separates the both outer pathways from the inner middle main central avenue/ road/ running

track. These separating strips have two metres of grass either side of the fountains, which has

tiny fence 15cm high.

ble

a

he fountains are all aligned like giant pools, one

e

evel.

he lower main walkway leading up to the first

mps,

The

areas, which reflect the light looks magical

o

he Palau de Congressos de Barcelona building further up this first level of the Maria

nish,

see

n

de.

t side

utside this Palau de Congressos

As

ay

T

after the other all as one, though staggered,going all the way up the first walkway up to th

first escalators,. The size of the fountains is

generic for the entire instalment of this first lIt is this giant double-decker bus size, which give

this place such great power

T

set of escalators at night is lit up veryromantically by the many sets street la

which line the inner of both outer walkways.

pavement of this area is made of very large smoothand like a sea of colour. The monument in the middle is lit up with floodlights and also has

several sepia lamps shining on it, which gives this monument a variety of tones, which is als

similar to its nature during the day, with its different tones due to areas which are dirty and

cleaner than of others.

T

Christina Avenue, has five flag-poles with three flags, the Barcelona, Catalonia and Spaflying in front of this building. The majority of this building facade is made of highly reflective,

darkened black, square panels. Reflecting the walkway from the side like a mirror. Its entrance is

framed with steel rectangle panels, in landscape format. Two of these rectangular panels are thesize of one square of the darkened black reflective glass to its side and above. Seven steps

leads up to this buildings grand

double glass door entrance. This

through entrance means its verylarge open reception area inside ca

be seen from the walkway outsi

This entrance has an adjacenramp.

Ode Barcelona building there is

another incredibly tall sign-post.

you walk up to it from it side,which is a strong red all the w

up and at the top is the number 5 in

white. It is brilliant. It is so tall it

rises above its neighbouring


12/18

building, pointing up to the sky. It is also taller than the flag-poles just before it. The three

Barcelona, Catalunia and Spanish flags flying in the wind the entire composition is perfect an

alive. This red strip the sign post aesthetically is a red very thin rectangle collaged uponthis multilayered, multi-functional space this avenue, the city. Like an instalment of abstract ar

amongst the modern, supermodern and ancient architecture this instalment does fit in it add

completely to the composition, similar to a Kadinsky image. The sign-post is a form. It is nature

it is how it has evolved. It is a product of man. It too exits here amongst us - not trying torepresent nature, but existing in harmony with it

d

t

s

rotruding wall or the metaphysical sign post.

tepping onto the first escalator now entering

n

eaching the top you come onto the platform.

his platform is very special: it extends as a

bridge over the road, Avenue Rius i Taulet.

As the post itself is passed by its side, it is made of matt steel similar to the building behind it

and similar to the escalator circuit approaching.

The road in the middle of the Maria Christina Avenue, which stretches the entire length of the

first level adjoining the roundabout, going in between the two towers. It is very wide - it has fouractive lanes two going in either direction, with lot of space to have a line of cars parked very

safely on both sides.

At the top of the top of the avenue, in line with both lines of parked cars, on either side, are twopassageways going underground for parking. The ramp on the right is for the cars going down

and the ramp on the left is for the cars ascending to street level. These ramps are in line with/adjacent to the start of the escalators. The ramps are very discreet. They are in line with the lines

of parked cars, though with a 20 metre space of no parking marked on the tarmac road, after the

zebra crossing: allowing the cars coming off/ onto the road plenty of space and time tomanoeuvre.

Approaching the escalators really is such a fantastic and joyous occasion. It is very unusual and

for me the first time I have ever seen electric escalators outside what happens if it rains? Ithought. The designers thought of this too and it is fine.

Now, there are two escalators next to each other, on both walkways, on either side of the central

avenue, one is going up and the other coming down on both sides.The escalators are so clean and shiny reflecting the sunlight so well.

On the outside of both sets of escalators is a huge wall separating the escalators from the set of

regular outdoor steel steps on the outer sides. These stairs exist here for preference and in case ofa breakdown or an emergency.

This large wall, coming out, is not like any ordinary wall. It is also so grand it is so thick, so

strong, made out of concrete. It is matt grey and exits as another shade of grey to the adjoining,

adjacent pavement, escalators and to the surrounding architecture.The surrounding architecture too is so solid so strong composed of very large, cubist like,

basic abstract shapes. Like the shape of this huge p

S

the future ascending into the new world. If no

one is on the escalators they are moving veryvery slowly. As soon as the first person steps o

the speed increases

R

T


13/18

This road going off in both directions, is very wide, having five car lanes, a line of parked cars

and two large sidewalks one on either side

This super thin platform exits without columns, or

e, above

rom here, being raised up, it is a wonderful first or last opportunity to view the first level of the

From up here, now raised above the maze, we begin to

y night this modern elevated walkway is lit up at ankle

ass

t

noe

f

l

t night the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza 4 star hotels

any other supporting structure. The walkway is very

sleek. Standing on one platform looking across to its

identical twin on the other side. Its side made out ofsee-through glass, waist high, with a shiny steel

hand-rail. It hovers over the road raised up at the

same height as the tops of the tree trunks.It feels great crossing the road from up her

the road. Feeling totally safe from the traffic, and it

is very exciting to watch the car pass by underneath

F

Maria Christina Avenue and its surrounding modern architecture, the two towers, with the cityskyline in the background.

see the symmetrical structure of the avenue being able

to see both outer walkways from a 45 degrees angle, at

the beginning of the platform to a 25 degrees angle bythe end.

Blevel with fluesant tube lights 50cm wide, installed

beneath half way across, centring, the 100cm gl

all the way

along this walkway. They allow the traveller, thepublic to have a complete view, being raised up

looking across and looking down with absolutelyobstruction in the way. The entire road beneath can b

seen. From here it is also possible to see the other

walkways passengers (the peoples) legs and feetwalking along. Up here is at the height of the tops o

street-lights. Along these walkways there is only one

street-light on either side and it is amazing and unusuato be walking in the sky being at the same height to the

street-light. Really this is quite a unique experience. The

walk this space.

side panels. These glass side panels exis

re is a kind of floating sensation as you

A

sign on its roof, Catalunia is lit up in white, and to the

left in the sky is the electric blue Sony sign in theskyline.


14/18

At the end of the platforms, they open up to a very wide set of stairs descending to the ground

level of the next level. These steps, which arent steep at all, lead onto the opening of a new area,

with trees planted immediately on the outer side with tables and chairs intermixed

In the centre of this huge square is an absolutely huge round structure placed on a marvellously

deigned shaped grass plinth. This structure is a fountain. It is the magic fountain. It becomes

alive at nights on the weekends and on special occasions.

To the right, at right angles to the avenue,

in between the two cafes, there are twosets of the double lines of trees through

here, is a very large open public space a

large grass open area - the size of afootball pitch, where there are children

playing happily.

At the start of this grass area is an inverted

area, dug down, concreted maybe a poolin the summer time. Not in its centre, but

in its corner is an iron sculpture, which

extends to the sky. This sculpture is rootedin a concrete plinth.

At the far end of this grass area facing the Magic

Fountain is the perfectly designed Mies van der RohePavilion. The length of this building faade, of this one

story building, therefore its entire body is made from

glass, which even today stands out as an iconicarchitectural modern masterpiece.

Sitting outside one of the outdoor cafes next to thedormant Magic Fountain. Here it is so cool. It is

absolutely fantastic. It is mid-November and the sun is shinning and it is hot. Everyone is sitting

out side enjoying the weather, enjoying the space.

QuickTime and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

As well as the cafs stainless steel tables and chairs there are also public benches and publicsingle chairs, fixed to the ground, (unique to

Spain). In this caf area there are

approximately ten trees medium size trees,dotted about amongst the tables and chairs.

The caf, which is a cubiod kiosk, the same

shape and size as a regular bus. The caf ishalf kitchen area and half service area, where

the shutters open upward. When the caf is

closed, with shutters down, it is therefore

neatly compacted.To the far side of the caf are six, very neat,

toilets cubicals, compacted into a similar


15/18

shape as the caf next door, its facade is glass abstracted with shapes, so therefore not totally se

through. This glass is in front of where the doors to each toilet opens. Inside they are also very

clean and functional.

e

began to realise that this caf is not the only one in this very large area. There is one identical

.

et

here are plenty of trees all around, in each

the

.

ooking back at the super thin platform (in thethe level of the magic fountain, it is an awesome

This area as a part in itself (this

a

ll

h Dormant Magic Fountain, how

is

o elaborate and

siant

ce.

t night this calm and meditative being comes alive. It sprays water magnificently one hundred

I

directly opposite. And there is also another one, the same, on the other side of the main walkway

And also opposite this one there too is another caf generically the same. So, there is the samestyle caf on each corner of the Magic Fountain Area. Each caf is playing good music loud

enough for everyone sitting in its individual area

to hear, also the passers by walking along thewalkway, around the fountain, to hear. But qui

enough so that the other tunes the other cafes are

playing are not over lapping/ inter mixing.

T

corner, particularly describing and outliningpath/ road, where cars are parked, going off at

right angles, back away from the main walkwayThis is the case on all four corners.

Lother direction) towards the two towers, from

sight, with the platform raised up by steps; the platform level exists at eye level extending

down the main Maria Christina Avenue.

level) represents the whole (Plaz

Espanya and the Maria ChristinaAvenue) in the way that it is

symmetrical symmetrical in a

ways: horizontally, vertically andfrom above Mandala-like.

O

much I appreciate you being here.Looking into your green water it

so calming and still just like a

natural pond.Its structure is s

wonderful so grand. It is the

sculptural embodiment of a Perhout ever seeing this fountain in

action everyone knows that this fountain is the real thing. This is an architectural masterpie

This sculptural element of public art is definitely site specific.

rug. Mandala-like symmetry. This is a serious fountain. Wi

A

feet in the air, dancing at different heights at varying times and speeds, from all its levels. Truly

alive its fantastic. All this synchronised with instrumental musical celebratory masterpieces,


16/18

synced with a very high tech and very visually affective light display. The whole place comes

alive. Sincerely, this is the most fantastic installation of public art I have ever seen.


are needed to see thispi cture.

Past the Magic Fountain there is another level to ascend not very high with two sets of very

There are large stone flowerpots

pots

up by

he air, when the fountain

p from this level there is yet another grand opening, such aof

top suddenly appears very close

mb separated ins

hese

only a small height to climb.

wide, very grand stone steps, on both sides of what appears at first sight to be a small gardenpond, which is very calm.


are needed to see thispicture.

rising up, in the inner side, in

harmony with the steps. Theseand the garden are in fact a part of

the fountain network. The twelve

large pots rising up with the stairs,on both inner sides, with one

gigantic one at the top, raised

a plinth. These all shoot water up in tis on.

Uwonderful space, with so much room to think. On either sidesthis expansive space there are two more buildings dedicated tothe Servi Fira company.

From here the Museum at the

up. Its presence is felt, and it is so strong.

There is another level of fifteen steep to clithree sets of five. They are very easy to walk up and these step

etre wide, stretching

the entire width of the centre of the avenue with nofountain in the middle it is such a grand opening,

makes this experience of being here so pleasurable.On either side of these steps is a sloping grass lawn,

are so wide, approximately 25 m

with a small open green space at the front, with

bushes planted at the back. On the outer side of t

grass areas there is a tarmac gently sloping road/

ramp, on either side, for car and trucks, and wheelchair access. There is no escalators here there is


17/18

At the top of these stairs on either side there is a white stone, well made, statue, of a lady, larger

ow, up on the higher level, and here also there is so much space. From here the museum is so

n

s

middle is convexly

e the

cture.

he ascent up to the castle the museum, the

between the grand steps and the ascending fountain are escalators on both sides. Like the

rst

p to the next level, now very high up. The area is large and there is lots of woodland on both

t the back wall, with the main steps either

iew of the city, as the

eaching the top of the stairs, now being right at the top with the National Museum of Art in

e

than human size. On either side it is the same lady/ same model, but in different sitting postures.

N

close, its presence is felt so strong. On either side of this area there are very big, very high, very

grand solid stone steps on either side in between these, directly in front in the middle is a

large part of the fountain, in three levels separated horizontally, which the water flows down. Oeither side of this fountain area, are large bushes planted going up. On their outside, there are

three giant steps, there are fourteen of them.

The first one is at shoulder height, and thenup from there they are at waist height these

steps are too a part of the fountain network,

and similar to the much smaller flower potfountains on the ascent of the major previou

level, these too shoot the water up in the air

at a higher height.The fountain in the

curved out to us. The majority of the timfountain remains dormant/ inactive it

resides as magnificent sculptural archite

T

entire Maria Christina Avenue is like a huge pl

sky. This is particularly noticeable from this level the stairs, the fountain all a part of it

raising the castle up as its thrown. With the castle at the top as the crown it is magnificent.

inth raising this magnificent building up in the

In

major previous level there is only one on each side it is not a double escalator like on the filevel. The escalator on the left is descending and the escalator on the right is ascending. Planted

on both sides of both escalators are very tall bushes, which are regularly trimmed to be vertical

cuboid shaped existing in harmony with the giant ascending fountain steps.

U

sides. There are steep steps on the right hand side going up to the botanical gardens, and on the

other side there are steps going down to a road where there is also a little park where manypeople are practicing Tai Chi along to classical music.

There is a large pond-like fountain in the middle agains

side. These steps are very grand and they zig-zag upwards. Going up the steps, there are lots oftrees all around. There are not escalators in this immediate area, like on previous levels. On this

level the escalators have been installed out of the way around 30 metres out to each side. This

is due to the nature of the geography of the cliff and trees in the middle.As the steps zig-zag upwards it gives me a chance to view the amazing v

steps turn inwards it is so beautiful.

R

Catalunya the view from here is absolutely amazing. The word amazing means out of the

maze raised above the maze, it is possible to see the way out. From up here a great perspectiv


18/18

of life is experienced. From here it is the best view in the city. The Maria Christina Avenue is so

symmetrical so centred, so ordered, with so much integrity.

From here it is possible to see the entire landscape and the growth of the city how the buildingshave stretched in the three directions, from this point, out to the mountains.

There are so many buildings, and they are all different, the roof tops are extremely interesting

it is so beautiful there is so much life, energy and colour it is so amazing.


are needed to see this picture.

Plaza Espanya, Barcelona

Documents

Transcript of Plaza Espanya, Barcelona