Joan Maragall Library

Designed by BCQ Arquitectura in Barcelona, the Joan Maragall Library maintains and improves the existing garden, while at the same time provides well lit spaces.

The main decision has been to construct the new building under the old existing garden and not to occupy a part of this space.

The motto with which the project was presented in the ideas competition was “Garden of Light”. These two words sum up the two ideas of the project: maintaining and improving the existing garden, while at the same time providing joyful and well lit spaces.

The library inserts under the garden of Villa Florida under the shade of its trees. Inside, a landscape in itself, articulated and changing, where each use and each user find their place. It is a personalized and unique space.

The building is primarily connected to Sant Gervasi de Cassoles Street. The unevenness between the garden and Sant Gervasi Street naturally provides access to the new facilities. On the other hand, the gardened roof is on the same level as the old garden, so that the construction of the new facility meant the restoration of the civic center garden at its maximum dimension, where Villa Florida is the building dominating the complex.

Top and above: BCQ arquitectura Barcelona, Joan Maragall Library, Barcelona. Photo Ariel Ramírez — BCQ arquitectura Barcelona, Joan Maragall Library, Barcelona. Photo Ariel Ramírez

The building is shaped by “light and silence patios” and “books and knowledge patios”. The first, surrounded by glass, light and ventilate the interior while isolating the library from the street. The second, solid prisms filled with books, are part of the supporting structure of the library.

Among the courtyards and the volumes, indoor reading and work spaces are articulated. Areas that should be small, seeking to provide a comfortable feeling of domesticity to their users.

BCQ arquitectura Barcelona, Joan Maragall Library, Barcelona. Photo Ariel Ramírez

The interior is solved easily with little textures; ceiling, floor, furniture and walls are white in general, while the face that hide concrete retaining walls and structures of the building are covered with clay tiles. This porous material, sound absorbent and warm, reminds us that it is a half-buried building carved into the earth.

To link the library with the upper garden area two volumes stand out. One is a supported space of the library with direct access from the hall, located in a privileged spot. The other is an entry of skylight to the children’s area.

Joan Maragall Library, Barcelona
Program: public library
Architects: BCQ arquitectura Barcelona (David Baena, Toni Casamor, Maria Taltavull, Manel Peribáñez)
Collaborators: Alexandre Liberato, Jordi Sánchez, Vasco Mourão, Roser Marí, Jordi Rodríguez
Landscape: Mika Iitomi
Client: Barcelona City Council. Sarrià-Sant Gervasi District Barcelona d’Infraestructures Municipals - BIMSA
Engineering: JG Ingenieros S.A. / Mercadomótika
Structural Calculation: Manuel Arguijo y Asociados S.L.
Project Management: IDP Enginyeria i Arquitectura
Contractor: Contratas y Obras Empresa Constructora S.A.
Area: 2,983 sqm
Completion: 2014

Joan Maragall Library

Designed by BCQ Arquitectura in Barcelona, the Joan Maragall Library maintains and improves the existing garden, while at the same time provides well lit spaces.

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