Rehabilitating a Textile Plant for Barcelona’s Les Corts Neighbourhood Library

Abstract

The Montserrat Abelló library is the most recent public library to be opened in the city of Barcelona. The library occupies a former textile plant built in 1924. The project gives new life to a symbolic building in the Les Corts neighbourhood and evokes its history. An industrial building is designed to be a self-contained complex operating independently within its environment. Its operation is the opposite of what is required of a public library, which should relate closely to its surroundings and its neighbourhood. The assignment of a new use to an industrial building in the city enables the structure to continue, despite its location. Rehabilitation and reuse should respect the building’s values and key features and ideally correct any shortcomings, without changing its essential character. Establishing a clear connection between the interior and the exterior was one of the major challenges of the project. The project was carried out with a sustainability and energy efficiency agenda including gaining BREEAM Certification.