Collaborators: ES, ARQ-UIC, Synergia Sicons, Danny Wills , Alexandra Zervudachi, Alexandre Martínez, Alvert F. Jové, Carlotta Cofano, Clàudia Gratacós, Eduard Pascual, Emili Hormías, Emma Ma Vives, Eva Damià, Francesc Roca, Galam Kim, Giula Celentano, Jaime Batlle, Jaume Nart, Jennifer Vilà, Jorge Alavedra, Júlia Rocaspana, Katerina Kourkoula, Marta Delgado, Marta Esqueu, Marta Guixé, Mayra Monobe, Martas Garcia-Orte, Monika Rovira, Paulina Isaza, Genís Vilalta, Samuel Molist, Sandra Bestraten, Segio Viñals, Sorina-Stefania Brasoveanu, Vicenç Sarrablo.
Urban-Think Tank’s Playground pavilion was designed for the BCN RE.SET Tricentenari commemoration. To build the pavilion Urban-Think Tank collaborated with ESARQ school of architecture. The project design is based on the concept of the game called XARRANCA or Hopscotch. The children's game became the metaphor for the organization of the program where, through a hopping journey through multiple spaces, the goal is to reach "cielo", the sky at the end of the walk.
The XARRANCA pavilion is also a three-dimensional representation of the journey through time of the fisherman houses that once used to populate the site. The multiple steel profiles of the house frames are joined together to form a collective exchange of individual roof shapes, and the journey to reach the destiny of the sea. The chain of frames represent the integrated dream for Europe - as reflected in the terminus point of the playground at the water.
The pavilion is an expression of both the erasure of boundaries and a celebration of differences. Its placement on the plaza allows for free movement through the canopies, while its colored houses are a sculptural statement on the diversity of Europe. The structure references the history of the site, as the wall and frame composition of the pavilion reminds of the original fisherman houses, or merenderos, that once lined the beachfront area of La Barceloneta, while inviting engagement and play to promote new levels of public interaction.
Through a collaboration with the local community of craftsmen, fishermen, and historians, the pavilion is built out of local and recycled wood, and compressed earth, clay, and sand. The creation of the pavilion from the design to the building is a participatory action, combining the collective knowledge of the neighborhood and city.
The temporary structure creates a playful environment which promotes cultural exchange and social activity. referencing the children’s game of hopscotch, the arrangement leads visitors through a sequence of spaces from sòl (ground) to cel (sky). it is composed of a series of blue frames, with a variety of half height walls and swings interspersed which serve as seating. during the day, canopies shade visitors from the sun, while lights integrated within the framework illuminate the space at night.
The creation of the pavilion was guided by a participatory ethos, including drawing upon the existing collective knowledge of the neighborhood. Students from ESARQ-UIC informed the design process through in-depth site analysis, public intervention studies, and community engagement. Materials (recycled sails and fishing nets for the canopy) and expertise (knotting techniques to fasten the nets and sails) were sourced directly from local craftsmen, fishermen, and sailors. Similarly, the compressed earth walls, with soil from Catalonia, were built collaboratively via a process involving students and local social collectives.
With the Xarranca pavilion, we reinforce our broader vision of an alternative framework for reading and acting within the city, highlighting social and cultural diversity while remaining committed to the idea of design as a collaborative and participatory act.
