Rituals of Cohabitation
la clota, barcelona
micro-climate gardens, biophilic research
2023
projects of the year exhibition
- a research driven design to revitalize bioclimatic values of water -

La Clota is the least dense neighborhood in Barcelona where people have farmhouses, big gardens and make-shift structures. The site is an abandoned farmhouse, located in a topologically and historically critical place. In the intersection of two ancient paths; water and human.

Through a deep investigation, it has been ascertained that the municipal government of Barcelona has redirected a historic spring into the sewer infrastructure for the 1992 Olympic games. 

 

From the first moment after this discovery, the approach was immanent. To resurface the forgotten water spring, embracing the hydrologic tradition to requalify the area as a vibrant self-sufficient community, as well as to recover and enrich the surrounding ecosystems.

After the renovation of existing spaces, the water was re-introduced to the site through a specifically designed set of micro gardens, made by the clay of the earthen wall that was found on site. Remaining void formed quarters for visiting researchers.

The gardens, inspired by the Donnafugata Garden in Pantelleria, were planned to build in a timeline to allow experimentation, starting a new ritual of earth and water, where the gardens will be renewed each season in a 4 season time frame. Providing knowledge, through design, testing, observation and reconstruction.