BRIDGING TWO CITIES | BARCELONA, SPAIN

Urban & Sustainable Design Through Parametric Modeling | 2014

The Besos River Park poses a unique question. It creates a barrier rather than a connecting membrane between Barcelona and Badalona. Crossing highways and various modes of transportation in the area create an abundance of noise. The desired function of this project is a concert and performance venue which requires several sources of light at any given time of day. So, how do we take the unwanted abundance of noise, and convert it into the desired necessity of light while connecting and entertaining two cities?

1. Gather decibel ratings and noise clips within various zones amongst the site. 

2. Analyze the data based on strength of frequencies and decibels. geographical location, elevation changes, local activities and time of day. Using tools such as Grasshopper, determine which zones would be able to harvest the most sound energy and which areas could provide the most interesting intervention within the site for venue spaces. Some areas could sustain large concert spaces without disrupting river and habitat spaces below whereas other areas could be used for smaller more intimate zones for performances.

3. Adjust the output given the data driven form, and the site analyses. By studying and overlaying the iterations based on pedestrian flows, water flows, desired venue spaces and vegetation patterns, a cohesive bridging membrane was designed. Angles of curved arch spaces have been designed to accurately reflect and refract sound so as to create a reverberation upwards out of the inset riverbed space. This creates a formal interception between two cities as well as an audible, intangible and experiential connection. 

4. Confirm calculations regarding the input and output based on the zoning and sound harvesting units integrated within the design. Each of the designated zones have various LED panels lined within the membrane structure. Each 75cm x 75cm panel can harvest enough energy to power up to 65 watts of light for both regular night lighting as well as to contribute for a larger light-show production. 

Some zones within the bridging structure are encouraged to embrace a more natural setting whereas others are more polished and intended for designated performance spaces. Zones beneath bridges are accessible and are designed to allow for a continuation of pedestrian paths while creating more frequent focal breaks to encourage a more interactive experience with immediate surroundings and nearby performances.