Barcelona officially inaugurated the World Capital of Architectureevents on Saturday with the presentation of an unprecedented three-dimensional model. The exhibition, located in the former headquarters of the Gustavo Gili publishing house, displays a detailed replica of the Catalan capital and its surroundings covering 84 square meters.
The project uses a scale of 1:1, 500, ensuring absolute precision in replicating streets and iconic buildings such as the Sagrada Familia. This work not only includes the municipality of Barcelona, but also extends its representation to 14 other locations in the metropolitan area, from the Llobregat delta to the port of Badalona.
Innovation and technology at the service of urban planning
The structure is made up of 1,204 pieces that fit together like a puzzle and have been manufactured from plant-based plastic (PLA). Daniel Gómez, an engineer at Windforce, explained that the production process took five months using advanced 3D printing machinery.
Beyond direct observation, visitors can use augmented reality glasses to access interactive narratives about urban evolution. In addition, in collaboration with the ONCE Foundation, a tactile version with specific textures has been designed so that people with visual impairments can identify the different fabrics of the Eixample or Ciutat Vella.
The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, emphasized that this initiative is a recognition of urban planning as a tool for improving coexistence. The model will remain as a permanent legacy in the building, which will become the future House of Architecture.
When and where to visit the model
This premiere marks the start of a ten-month program that will include more than 1,500 activities spread across the ten districts.170 social and culturalentities have participated in the design of these events , with the aim of promoting collective reflection on how to positively transform life in society through the design of cities.
The exhibition can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This premiere marks the start of a ten-month program that will include more than 1,500 activities spread across the ten districts, with the involvement of 170 social and culturalentities.