+plus is a global strategy to transform the COAC into a new urban appeal. The institution is allowed to open in the city to allow the public to enter. An intervention at different levels (Basement Floor to Floor 2) that allows the urbanity of the ground floor to be exploited and transported to all levels, a vertical horizontality. The COAC is now a building made of buildings, permeable and transparent. A meeting and debate space, at each level the new Open Architecture Center provides different meeting and exchange spaces. The building is able to adapt to different meeting situations and scales, 4 auditoriums/multifunctional spaces (one on each floor) for 4 ways to debate, learn, discuss, exchange and exhibit.
On the ground floor, thanks to the demolition of the mezzanine and the central pillars followed by the corresponding reinforcement of the rest of the beams and pillars, together with accessibility work with the construction of a new pavement at the level of Plaça de la Catedral has configured a new multifunctional space in the corner, open to the city, with level foot access, the Plaza penetrates the institution to attract the citizen, and at the same time the Coac centrifuges its activity in the square. This space, thanks to a series of mechanisms and artefacts (Thermal curtains, technical false ceilings, new air conditioning systems, completely foldable façade carpentry, hydraulic steps that are completely stored between the new pavement and the existing basement) allows to accommodate multiple settings and acts; conferences, debates, talks, classes, exhibitions, cinema, theatre, markets, information points, etc. It is the point of articulation between the COAC and the urban plot, it is the institution-citizen interchange.
On the ground floor, a new access to the Jordi Capell Cooperative has been created, which is visible from the street, in a direct and frank way. Expanding the existing double space. By moving the Bar to the 2nd floor, the space it occupied in the basement floor has been freed up to accommodate the Jordi Capell Cooperative store, a space delimited for a bookstore artefact that allows it to be closed to -do public events there when the Cooperative is closed. Together, a ramp has been introduced that descends to the loft of the current Cooperative, thus giving accessibility to the entire Cooperative.
Location: Barcelona, Spain.
Status: Competition, Honorable Mention.
Program: 1796 sqm.
Structure: Eskubi Turró Estructuras SLP.
Facilities: Ele3Jota Tecnics Associats SLP.
Sustainability: Societat Orgànica.
Technical Support: Mario Barredo Arquitectura Técnica.
Client: COAC.