In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games. For the occasion, the Catalan capital underwent a major transformation, becoming a prime example of ‘Olympic legacy’. The regeneration boosted local tourism to such an extent that, in 2023 alone, the city welcomed 15.6 million visitors – 10 times its population (source: BBC).
One of the areas that underwent the most transformation was the Poblenou neighbourhood, where the athletes’ village was built. This was a former industrial area, through which a railway line ran. With the demolition of the factories and infrastructure, the city regained its waterfront. In addition to the athletes’ village, seaside parks and a marina were created.
The pergola designed by Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós is one of the elements that make up the urban regeneration project for the Olympic Village. It is situated in the center of Avenue Icária, a road which runs parallel to the waterfront. The buildings on both sides have shops on the ground floor and residential appartements on the upper floors. Due to the presence of an underground waste collection system, it was not possible to plant trees in this central space, so the pergola was chosen as an alternative to provide shade.
Enric Miralles’s entire body of work is characterised by the creation of a unique world, with surrealist and dreamlike references. He draws inspiration from organicism and the work of architects such as Antoni Gaudí and Alvar Aalto (Montaner, 2016).
The inspiration for this project was the legend of Icarus, after whom the avenue is named. In Greek mythology, Icarus and his father, the craftsman Daedalus, were imprisoned by King Minos and managed to escape using the wings built by Daedalus. Daedalus warned Icarus not to fly too low or too high. In his arrogance, Icarus flew so high that he came too close to the sun, melting the beeswax that made up his wings. He fell from the sky and drowned in the sea.
With the legend in mind, the architects created a pergola that resembles the wreckage of Icarus’s wings. Comprising a metal framework with wooden slats, what we see is a structure with twisted, deconstructed angles. Some say the shapes resemble trees, but to me they look more like railway tracks. I thought it might be a reference to the neighbourhood’s old railway line.
The shadows cast by the pergola complement the overall effect, lending even more movement to the whole scene. This organic design, which is constantly changing in the light, stimulates visitors’ imagination and fantasy.
I visited the area at the end of September. It was a sunny day but not too hot. The place was quite busy. I saw lots of buses passing along the avenue. Under the pergola, I saw adults and children out and about on foot, on bicycles and on skateboards. In addition, there is street furniture here that invites you to take a break from your walk and enjoy the scenery.
It is worth noting that the pergola on Avenida Icária stretches between ‘Joan Miró’ and ‘Architecte Sert’ streets (named in honour of Josep Lluis Sert).
Sources:
Josep Maria Montaner, 2016. A Condição Contemporânea da arquitetura. Editorial Gustavo Gili. Barcelona, Espanha.
Visit Barcelona, Access on 1/1/2025
