“Edificio Mediterraneo” by Antonio Bonet and Josep Puig Torné. A shift exercise in the Barcelona widening

Abstract

In the 60s in Barcelona, the union of multiple circumstances appeared that allowed the creation of a dissimilar architecture with respect to the traditional housing blocks developed in the Esquerra of L’eixample district. This study intends to make an analysis of the elements that made possible the construction of the Antonio Bonet’s and Puig Torne’s “Edificio Mediterraneo” (1960-1966). For this reason it is intended to show the reasons and influences that allowed the construction of this example of reinterpretation and criticism of the Cerdá Plan, in order to generate a modern and different architecture to that one developed in the most of the widening. This innovation is evidenced in the proposal to change the way of making facade and corner-chamfer, breaking the continuous scheme that had been developing since 1860. The conditions of regulation, promotion of the project, economic circumstances and the development of the Esquerra neighborhood, put in evidence the possibility of projecting and constructing this case study in search of revaluing the sector. It is also intended to question why they didn´t continue developing projects of this type in the neighborhood, also taking into account the mediatic impact that had at the time as an element of propaganda-manifesto and promotion of the project to encourage a change in the rest of architects of the city.