Unified Design for La Rambla's Terraces Finalised
The revamp of Barcelona's La Rambla is entering its final phase, with a new unified design for restaurant terraces set to debut in February 2027. The project will standardise the appearance of 27 terraces between Liceu and Drassanes, replacing a patchwork of disparate styles with a cohesive, contemporary look. The new design, named 'Areny' – the Latin word for the former stream that once ran along the Rambla – was selected by a jury convened by the Industrial Design Association ADI-FAD, with support from the Barcelona City Council. The winning proposal comes from the Catalan designer Ester Pujol and Basque designer Ander Lizaso, in collaboration with production editor UNNOM.
Three Key Elements to Transform the Streetscape
The Areny project will introduce three standardised components across all terraces in the designated 'Zone of Excellence': space-dividing elements, auxiliary furniture for serving, and information boards. These will reinterpret historical features of the Rambla, such as the undulating pattern of its old pavement, now reimagined in the shapes of planters and dividers. According to Ester Pujol, the goal is to "recover elements that Barcelona residents and visitors alike have in their memory", layering historical references into a modern urban context. Ander Lizaso added that the design aims for formal simplicity and elegance, ensuring the elements integrate smoothly into the cityscape without being jarring.
Jury Praises Modular and Elegant Integration
The competition jury unanimously praised the Areny proposal for its "modular capacity, formal simplicity, elegance, and integration into the urban environment". It was chosen from eight finalist entries in a contest aimed at positioning Barcelona as an international benchmark in public space design. The Barcelona City Council confirmed that terraces will be restricted to the central section of La Rambla, with spacing designed to improve pedestrian flow, safety, and accessibility. This spatial reorganisation aligns with the ongoing third stage of the Rambla's renovation, which began in January 2026 and required the temporary removal of existing terrace structures.
The new style guide, once implemented, will reinforce La Rambla's identity as an emblematic public space while enhancing the quality of its commercial and cultural offerings. Prototypes will now be developed in collaboration with stakeholders and the City Council ahead of the February 2027 unveiling. For further details on the project, visit the Barcelona City Council's official page.
Primary sources: Barcelona City Council, Ajuntament de Barcelona. Reported by 3cat.cat, diaricatalunya.cat, experimenta.es, larazon.es, Adi-Fad, Europa Press, 3CatInfo Barcelona.
