Reflection 6/7

Quite honestly a wonderful experience.

From a social point of view, we managed to create wonderful friendships that enabled us not only to live and socialise but to work together as well.

Previous to our research trip, our group analysis, discussions, proposals and presentations had all stemmed from information collected and observed from one long weekend in Poble Nou last October, which should be noted, was the weekend of the National Holiday. Needless to say, during our initial days there, I quickly realised that everything we thought we knew was wrong!

By moving to Poble Nou, for me the most overwhelming feeling I had was naïvety. We had built our entire proposals based on assumptions made from a static point in time, far from our outsider perspectives and individual preconceptions, the reality was quite eye-opening. Firstly, the last-minute location of our accommodation was a key player in the beginning stages of our trip: an area we had all initially labelled as ‘dead’ and uninspiring, turned out to be the antithesis. Around Bogatell there was a wonderfully active and friendly atmosphere, with a constant electricity of social interaction, creativity and life from volleyball players and dog-walkers on the beach to break-dancing buskers, independent coffee shops, arts workshops and exhibition spaces. It seemed every corner had something new and exciting to offer, with a general evolution across the day as building as an introduction to evening design lecture series, open-house exhibitions and gigs as well as a multitude of individual bars and restaurants, each somewhat better than the last.

Above all, the most influential, inspirational and valuable players in the entire experience were the people we met. Personally, the human aspect is something that is so fundamental to architectural design - who we are designing for, the users, the inhabitants, the people. In my opinion, these people are the core of the unit, for without them, the scheme becomes meaningless. The people we met: neighbours, architects, designers, students, members of the Taula, businessmen, politicians, passers-by - these people were what made our time in Poble Nou so valuable, as this is something you cannot simulate in a book or online, not only their opinion but their eagerness to be involved, to have their say and to contribute was almost overwhelming and gave an undeniable grounding to our design project. Not only this, but [despite the language barrier] we became friends with these people: laughing, joking and socialising outside of work hours and long into the evenings - it was really a privilege to be a part of this community, and more importantly: to be welcomed as such.

As a result, I find it hard to make a design decision or suggestion without seeing the faces of the people affected and thinking about how they would feel. It is a powerful thing and something that I hope to keep with me, not only for this university project but as I move on to the world of work.

Of course the month was more than just socialising with the locals, with numerous workshops, tours, visits, lectures and crits occupying almost all of our days there, I feel I have learnt an incredible amount about the social aspects of architectural design, with some of the most inspirational people being from La Col - a Barcelona based, socially driven architecture collective (begun by a group of students studying for their masters..!) and our interim critics, Giulia and Lorenzo from Stalker Group in Rome, two wonderfully energetic and enthusiastic people who were incredibly helpful as critics and mentors.

Above all for me, this trip has given me a renewed sense of enthusiasm and inspiration about my future career path, opening up a side to the architectural realm that I had never experienced before, and one which I wholeheartedly hope to pursue in the coming years.

Gracias Barcelona, something tells me I will be back very soon!

#wsa #reflections #Barcelona #emuve #poblenou