The old Can Quel textile factory, an emblematic building deeply rooted in the history of l’Esquirol, is transformed into a public center for socio-cultural creation. A factory of creation.

This municipal building recovers the idea of culture, intervention, and the link with the territory, and is committed to being a platform that contributes to social transformation and sustainable development in Collsacabra, and l’Esquirol in particular.

An Urban Landscape study, and especially in a complex area such as Montbau, inevitably approaches the work from various intertwined perspectives in order to reflect the urban reality.

In this case, *estel formed part of a very large team of professionals, and focused on the socio-territorial study, analyzing the human landscape and the everyday dynamics of the neighbourhood, as such as to understand how people relate to the territory as well as to each other.

Through a series of debates with representing stakeholders of the neighborhood in addition to the public realm observation, it was possible to relate amongst others; what was the perception of security in various areas of the neighborhood, which formal and informal spaces were best valued, and why, what urban characteristics define the identity of the neighborhood or in which way the relationship between the city of Barcelona and the mountain of Collserola is perceived.

How can we define new uses for a symbolic building respecting its history and its importance for citizens? How can we transform it into a pedagogical space where the social fabric is empowered, allowing us to speak for a new model of co-management of the municipal facilities?

The process of citizen participation for the definition of the new uses and the management model of the old municipal library of Cerdanyola del Vallès was an innovative and intergenerational project. During the process, were carried out, on the one hand, participatory actions (talks, table games, walks, 3d printing, …) and on the other the communication plan of the process (informative actions on public space, communicative image, exhibition, and installations regarding Ca n’Altimira’s history, and its participative process). 

The restructure of the Joan Rague I Camps square and its surroundings implemented a sustainable urban strategy that prioritizes people over cars and improved the quality of the public space, according to the needs and ideas of its residents. The project focused on integrated solutions to reduce mobility problems, issues of accessibility, and weak public realm with the aim of strengthening the city’s identity and social cohesion. It enabled a comprehensive, participatory and integrated attitude of citizens, politicians, and administration, bringing together the expertise and experience of the actors involved. 

The project supports the implementation of sustainable urban strategies, offering citizens and relevant stakeholders a comprehensive, integrated, innovative, and participatory approach to identifying the problems, challenges, and opportunities with the goal of finding appropriate solutions for the renewal and revitalization of urban space in line with the values and principles of a sustainable urban life: improving the quality of life for citizens, activating social life, stimulating economic growth and taking effective measures for reducing vehicle’s velocity in the city’s center. 

For the redaction of Uses Plan for the Sants-Hostafrancs triangle, *estel has executed a complementary territorial and social investigation in order to give arguments for the decision-making. This research is part of the “Uses Plan Participatory process and Commercial Dynamization Plan” carried out by MonoDestudio.

The study is limited to an area of 33 hectares that includes part of the Sants and Hostafrancs neighborhoods of Barcelona. Within this area, however, there are places of variable scales: from small neighborhood squares to the city’s public spaces. All of them accommodate both foreseeable and unforeseen activities, completing the whole range of events in the urban public sphere.

This project for the re-use of the abandoned industrial building SATI, overseen by the Barcelona Provincial Council and the Alpens town hall, encouraged participatory methodologies and social integration. The project is related to a building that has been part of the life of Alpens for more than 40 years. This container of experiences has become part of the landscape and the memories of the citizens who have worked there. The purpose was to rethink this place, set the criteria and define the new uses and management model.  

This project explored co-housing scenarios for the elderly and artists, co-management of green spaces and a shared kitchen, adaptation of the traditional Catalan “era” (threshing floor) into the present context, and creation of co-working and learning spaces for everyone. From the earliest stages of the project, intergenerational participation was essential. It involved workshops with children, interviews with entities and building games, and defining spaces together with inhabitants.