The above is part of my third year, first semester project- entered on 23rd April for the Northern Design Competition and 30th April for the Northern Futures Award.
Perruqueria Barcelona
The project is a development of a small square adjacent to the Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona's gothic quarter- providing services to the square and adjacent market that has started to overflow with fruit and vegetable stalls. Included is a perruqueria (hairdresser's), a small laundrette that shares its waiting area, which spills out into the square. The day starts early for people working in the market, as a result it is traditional to take a two or three hour siesta break; currently there is no space offered for the market workers and many travel home, sleep on park benches or skip siesta altogether. The proposal offers a siesta lounge- including quiet pods, book sharing and washing facilities.
The building contains three flats of different sizes to accomodate a cross section of the community; these feature interesting split floor levels that create high ceilings in main living spaces. Balconies make reference to local vernacular, and a decorative screen shades the building from the mediterranean sun.
The screen cascades down the facade and folds to form a shading canopy for the square, with the intension of enhancing the identity and beauty of the square. The canopy is influenced by spanish lace and fans, it is made of a wire lattice draped with a weather proof fabric, there are also responsive fan-like sunshades that can be opened or closed directly by the stallholders in the market.
