The layout of Poblenou is complicated, combined with many layers,
including the Cerdà Grid and practices following it, different kinds of industrial
heritage and its layout, etc. They are different and contradictory, for carried
out in different historical periods and from architectural thoughts. As Cerdà
grid gradually approaching, many of industrial heritage sunk and scattered
into the orthogonal grid. The old layout has been dissolved into new context.
However, they brought ´diversity´ to Cerdà grid, which is the crucial value in the
evolution of Cerdà in Poblenou. It naturally generates chances for evolution of
new Cerdà to accommodate and integrate various and contradictory elements
here, and can be identified as ´Industrial Cerdà´.
Thus, ´Industrial Cerdà´ in Poblenou should not be simply described as
´orthogonal grid´, but the carrier of diversity and ´non-Cerdà´ layers in Poblenou
as well. Thus, thesis mainly focuses on three basic question: How to insert
industrial heritage into Cerdà block? How can industrial heritage refit the form
of Cerdà? And how to integrate them together? The thesis will be divided into
3 aspects.
Firstly, standard Cerdà, as well as many orthogonal planning in history,
emphasizes the concept of ´unit´ and their solutions of generating public
spaces. It shows a critical idea of individual but common cluster for safety and
sense of belonging, while assembled for urban spaces. Thus, they are not
enclosed, with some connections to context. Among some new Cerdà blocks in
Poblenou, courtyards are reorganised as urban space in larger scale.
Secondly, Cerdà plan can never be perfect standard model. Exceptional
plots of it create horizontal diversity to various circumstances for Cerdà
practices. It emerged from compromises when facing with reality, including
function, entrance, landmark, etc. In order to establish positive interactions
between courtyard and context with visual, functional and mobility connections
in different types in different parts of a standard model.
Thirdly, industrial heritages and its layout are supposed to contribute to
reform of Cerdà blocks to improve the quality of pedestrian level spaces of
Poblenou, which can be achieved by overlapping. Many architects expressed
their ideas of integration different layers of activities and context, which could
help to create vertical diversity for Cerdà forms. Meanwhile, heritages can also
be well absorbed in pedestrian spaces for city life.
To take Can Ricart as example, this thesis aims to practise formal strategies
for industrial heritage to refit in Cerdà block in Poblenou, and also help them to
assimilate into new communities there
