L’Ateneu del Poblenou

Proposal for a civic and cultural building on a plot in El Poblenou, Barcelona, currently zoned for public park use. The project places a library and cultural functions underground so the park can continue uninterrupted above.

The sunken courtyard, with its central stair and reflecting pool, brings light and air down to the lower level. The project draws on the Catalan tradition of civic brick architecture.