A Living Archive of Community
Barcelona’s identity is shaped by how people engage with public space. Its urban design fosters community, highlighting the relationship between architecture and human interaction—our research’s foundation. We explored how places shape communities and vice versa, leading us to a central urban element: the town square.
For centuries, town squares have been vibrant hubs of daily life, markets, and social exchange. In Barcelona, however, shifting consumer habits have led to their decline, with nearly 20% of market spaces now vacant, threatening a key cultural landmark.
La Plassa reimagines these underutilized spaces as dynamic venues for gathering, creativity, and exchange. More than a market, it is a new kind of public square—shaped by its people. Its name, derived from a 16th-century Catalan surname, now symbolizes an evolving space for collective experiences.
A Space in Constant Transformation
La Plassa is a blank canvas, shaped by its visitors. Its modular design fosters adaptability, making every interaction part of its evolving identity.
To convey this vision, we created a visual language that bridges tradition and evolution. Drawing from Barcelona’s city archives, we incorporated historical photographs that capture real moments of communal life, ensuring authenticity.
Our designs echo archival aesthetics, reinforcing La Plassa as a living record of human connection. Typography, inspired by plaça signage, features rounded edges reminiscent of stone carvings, while a warm, earthy color palette reflects the essence of traditional markets.
A Language of Community
La Plassa is about “us”—a collective, not an individual. Its language is inclusive, welcoming, and dynamic, celebrating gathering and connection.
We emphasize the contrast between space and place: a space is built, but a place is shaped by interaction. La Plassa is a place in constant transformation, created by those who bring it to life.
More than words, our language is an invitation to be part of something bigger. Rooted in Barcelona’s tradition yet globally accessible, La Plassa uses English to engage a wider audience in the dialogue on urbanism and community.
To bring La Plassa to life, we developed more than a visual identity—we created tools for engagement. A newspaper, once a bridge between people and their communities, documents and invites participation. A modular instruction kit doubles as a board game, guiding visitors in shaping the space. A digital platform extends interaction beyond the physical, while an adaptable signage system evolves with La Plassa, reinforcing its dynamic nature.
Together, these elements make La Plassa a living, participatory experience.
