Transformations Underway in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi and Les Corts
Construction work has begun on the first of ten party walls across Barcelona, converting neglected urban boundaries into dynamic architectural facades. The interventions are part of the 'From Party Walls to Facades' programme, a key legacy project of Barcelona’s designation as UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026. The initial works are taking place in the districts of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi and Les Corts, with all ten projects scheduled to begin by the end of December 2026. The project follows an international ideas competition organised by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe and Barcelona City Council, in collaboration with UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA). Of 439 entries from 51 countries, ten winning proposals were selected, one for each of the city’s ten districts, aiming to redevelop nearly 4,000 m² of underused urban surfaces.
Scaffolding Tarps to Showcase Future Designs
During construction, scaffolding will be covered with large tarpaulins printed using HP Latex technology, which employs water-based inks and recyclable materials to reduce environmental impact. These tarps will display renderings of the future facades and feature illustrations by Catalan artist Flavita Banana. Her comic-style artwork depicts fictional conversations between neighbours, highlighting benefits such as improved insulation, new windows, greenery, and habitats for urban wildlife. The tarps serve both a practical and communicative role: protecting the public during works while engaging residents in the transformation process and improving the visual quality of construction sites.
These interventions will repurpose anonymous, provisional walls into permanent architectural elements that enhance sustainability, biodiversity, and urban integration.
Public Event This Saturday at Casa de l’Arquitectura
On Saturday 7th November, from 10:00 to 13:30, the Casa de l’Arquitectura will host a public event to present the winning architectural teams and their projects. The morning session will include presentations by the architects and jury members, followed by a family workshop called 'Chocolate Party Walls'. Organised with the Chocolate Museum and the Model Workshop of ETSAV, the activity invites participants to decorate chocolate replicas of party walls using edible elements to imagine new designs. A free breakfast with cake and fruit juice will be offered to attendees.
Ongoing Public Engagement Across Districts
Since late 2025, a travelling exhibition has toured Barcelona’s districts to showcase the ten winning proposals. It is currently on display in Gràcia and will move to Ciutat Vella before the year ends. Monthly public sessions also inform residents about the city’s Party Wall Plan and available subsidies for community-led building improvements. The full exhibition 'From Party Walls to Facades. A Legacy for the City' is also accessible at the Canòdrom, one of the flagship venues of the 2026 architecture programme.
Sources: Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barna.News News Desk.
