can ricart redevelopment (competition)

The Can Ricart site is a landmark of Catalan industrial modernity, a prototype of a factory system designed by Josep Oriol i Bernadet in 1853, and since 2017 legally protected as a BCIN (Cultural Asset of National Interest). By virtue of its historical significance, scale, and strategic location, Can Ricart presents a rare opportunity to forge a new urban style—anchored culturally, economically dynamic, and socially creative—positioning it as a key element in a future central district of unmistakable appeal.

The urban development challenges lie in enhancing public access and continuity. We propose increasing the permeability of the site’s boundaries to better integrate it with its surroundings, while also introducing internal connections—through selective passages into buildings—to strengthen the relationship between exterior spaces and improve route continuity.

Our vision emphasizes differentiation: the site’s development should stand out from its surroundings, marking its identity through specific design parameters and elements tied to its unique character.

The proposed pavement is ceramic brick laid on edge, creating a cohesive material link between ground surfaces and buildings. We define three distinct zones—streets, plazas, and gardens—and integrate site-specific identity and history into the gardens’ design. This includes engraved panels naming past tenant companies and the reinstallation of original railcar tracks embedded in the pavement.