La Monumental

Being a part of a larger picture of Barcelona, La Monumental is a place where the essence of the Catalan spirit can be celebrated.

The essential question La Monumental poses regards the transformation of a cultural icon and a relic ritual, the bullring and the bullfight. This ritual has been a significant part of Catalan culture since the late 14th century. The question becomes, what is the correct transformative program that utilizes the relic as a Catalan Cultural asset?

The city meets the stadium with its famous urban pattern, focusing on a traditional façade venerated for over a century of repeated rituals of the bullfight. The conceptual challenge is to further connect the City to the façade (veil) through which the visitor passes into the present and future (transformative program).

Section elevation

Once the visitor passes through the veil, the possibilities for present and future cultural expression and dialog are revealed. From the horizontal experience the concept turns vertical; expressing the geologic origins (rock) – the historic knowledge (library) – the future possibilities (modern art and technology) – the cultural experience (food, performing, and fine arts) – and the civic and cosmic connection (rooftop). From origin to cosmic influence this vertical stream expresses the transformative possibilities.

Like the capote, the building façade represents the veil or a transformative boundary. Twenty years ago the visitor to this stadium would certainly expect to witness the bullfight. This ritual has been expressed as the seeking of afición/passion in life. To be on the edge of life and death is the fullest realization of love and, therefore, a meaningful existence.

Today’s visitor confronts the same city pattern, the same stadium façade only to be thrust into the search and experience of Catalan culture in its broadest sense. By adding this new vertical program today’s experience is of the origins, the knowledge, the technology, the art, and the spiritual or cosmic significance of this very special place in the universe. Passing through the veil of the new La Monumental the visitor is exposed to a vertical stack of offerings, from earthly origins (subterranean) to a secular or spiritual reckoning at the rooftop.

Exploded diagram

The city, the cosmos: uppermost level is a rooftop that provides magnificent views worthy of the Barcelona people. Agbar tower and Sagrada Familia highlight the 360-degree view of the city. At the center the oculus reveals the fear inducing view directly into the abyss. All this provides a cosmic experience for the complete Catalan.

The culture: the third level will be a cultural celebration what makes Barcelona unique. Tapas style vendors, upscale cuisine, bars and open spaces to observe, dance and enjoy will endure this a dynamic space enjoyed by all audiences. A music hall will provide space for a variety of more formal events.

The future: above the library will be a science and art museum to display the innovation and venture into the future that has been embraced in this city.

Knowledge: a library dedicated to Catalan history is what greets the users on the first level. A library stands as a symbol to serve and empower the people of Barcelona.

Origins: on the ground floor, runnels lead you into the center of the plaza to reveal an abyss which brings the familiar danger La Monumental would provide for all of its users.