OPERA HOUSE, BARCELONA

Project idea

The project presents a proposal for a new opera house in the Port Vell harbor in Barcelona, developed in response to the brief of the international architectural competition Liceu Mar. The aim of the design is to create a contemporary cultural institution that expands the capacity of the existing Gran Teatre del Liceu while providing spaces for opera performances, dance, educational programs, rehearsal facilities, and a wide range of public activities.
The proposal responds to the transformation of the former industrial port into a vibrant urban district and seeks to strengthen the connection between Barcelona’s historic center and its waterfront. The architectural concept respects the spatial constraints of the site, including a maximum permitted building height of 30 meters above sea level and a maximum depth of 1 meter below sea level.
The design aspires to establish a distinctive cultural landmark that integrates the arts with public space and the everyday life of the city.

Project description

The form of the new opera house is shaped by views from multiple directions. Every change in geometry is driven by a consideration of the building’s operational logic, how the auditoriums are arranged in relation to one another, what functional connections are established between them, and whether they are oriented toward views of the city or designed as more inward-focused spaces. The orientation of the building’s volumes also reflects the movement of pedestrians through the site.
The building is divided into two main sections: the opera facilities and the dance facilities. In the design was important to think of variety of uses for the performance halls and rehearsal spaces, allowing them to adapt to different types of productions and events.
The main auditorium forms the heart of the new opera house and has a seating capacity of more than 1 200 spectators. Accessible directly from the foyer are the orchestra rehearsal room and the choir rehearsal room, both of them can be rented for external use.
On the side facing Barcelona Aquarium is the flexible “Blue Box” hall. In addition to serving as a ballet rehearsal space, it can be reconfigured through a lifting-floor system to accommodate the requirements of experimental theatre and other alternative performance formats.

Technical information

The building’s structural system is based on a three-dimensional steel space truss. This structural framework enables the creation of the complex curves and folds that define the building’s ribbon-like form. The solid railing of the main foyer staircases, which also serve as load-bearing elements, extend the ribbon motive into the interior. All rehearsal rooms are provided with natural daylight, ensuring a comfortable and high-quality environment for performers and staff.

Documentation

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