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Review: Catalan Metabolism

MBIArch Notes

Assistant Professor Bet Capdeferro provides a review of the recently concluded Short Design Studio ‘Catalan Metabolism’, led by Visiting Professor Yoshiharu Tsukamoto.
 
Borrowed from the field of Biology, the term metabolism is used to explain and study the process of continual change occurred in cities as a principal motor of their transformation. Like all living organisms, cities have their own rhythm of growth and regeneration, their own metabolism. From Tokyo’s extreme acceleration to the latent state of the ruins of abandoned towns every city has its own velocity of change, or even different speeds at different times in their history or in their diverse physical areas.

Barcelona has also had its particular rhythms of transformation over time: after 2000 years (from the Roman foundation in c. I B.C. to 1860) in which the city almost didn’t exceed the boundary of the walls (200 ha. approx.) in just 100 years the city occupied the entire coastal plain situated at the foot of Serra de Collserola and between the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, approximately 1500 Ha. Through the Cerdà Plan, an order that was able to colonize the natural territory defined by the existing geography with rigor and flexibility was established. What was understood over a hundred years as the natural growth area of the city (the Eixample) has now become a compact and cohesive network that operates as a great extensive centre of the urban fabric.

In the end of the past century the constructed grid exceeded its geographical and administrative boundaries: the city became a metropolitan reality and sharp questions related to size, limits, morphology, density, uses, infrastructures, … and to social and economical particularities aroused all over the urban structure.

In this framework the course has invited the students to search for the rhythm or rhythms of Barcelona’s metabolism, with the aim of identifying the scenarios for the upcoming urban interventions and the future transformation of the city.
 
  
Mid-studio Review, view the full set of MBIArch 2011-2012 photos here
 
A first phase of work was dedicated to develop a genealogical study on architectural typologies as a register of urban and social transformation. The study was performed in some strategically chosen areas through a precise and accurate observation process, essentially based on physical recognition of the urban morphology and supported with the study of the historical cartography of Barcelona. The objective was to understand the main reasons for the emergence of the diverse typologies in each area and to identify the different intelligences embodied in each typology, with the idea of using this intelligence for the future. Special emphasis was made on searching for what professor Tsukamoto called the “indigenous” qualities of architecture. The process allowed the students to achieve a deep personal knowledge of the diverse realities and to construct their own diagnosis on site.
  
Final Jury, view the full set of MBIArch 2011-2012 photos here
 
The debate was then driven to the discussion of potential future scenarios for urban intervention in each zone. Different hypothesis were established by following the tendencies observed within the precedent transformations until today and taking into consideration the capacity of different programs to act as powerful engines for the transformation of each area. The challenge was always to regenerate the urban structure by keeping its distinctive nature and unique conditions. Particularities of each specific zone were insistently enhanced and promoted.  Areas such Eixample, Roquetes, Barceloneta, Poblenou, Raval and Hostafranchs offered a wide view on Barcelona’s present and history. Their physical realities were read at the same time as witnesses of the transformation of the city and reflect of the current spatial practice from its inhabitants.  Signs of the main potentials of each zone (Eixample: living and working; Barceloneta: living and tourism; Hostafranchs: living and production; etc) were searched and used to find a new strategy for their transformation.


Final Jury, view the full set of MBIArch 2011-2012 photos here
 
New architectural typologies were conceived for the new metabolism of the city. Proposals were meant to be a continuation of the studied genealogical lines and a prolongation of the architectonic intelligence accumulated in the city through time. But at the same time, a lucid and courageous approach, strong enough to radically impulse the future transformation of Barcelona.
 
-Bet Capdeferro, Assistant Professor
Architectural Design: Short Design Studio ‘Catalan Metabolism’

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