Barcelona

Poblenou’s lung

Designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel, Poblenou’s innovative Parc del Centre opened in the spring of 2008. Covering 5.5 hectares , this huge green lung lies between Carrer de Bilbao, Carrer de Marroc, Bac de Roda and Avinguda Diagonal, which define the inclusive, social spirit of the new Poblenou neighbourhood.

Curious shapes and abundant vegetation welcome and accompany visitors from the entrance, where a large perimeter wall covered with Mediterranean plants allows access to the park interior through a Gaudï-style gate.

The park, designed to facilitate nature breaks and conceived with everyone in mind, has areas for walking, courts for various games and charming spots to enjoy a spot of reading. Right in the middle there is Plaça de la Sardana, a meeting point surrounded by huts where kids can play.

Design and sustainability

The concern with preserving the environment is reflected in some features of the park, for example, a pneumatic refuse-collection plant hidden in an area resembling a lunar landscape, or the irrigation system that uses groundwater.

Nouvel wanted this signature park to be a place that combined different habitats, so he created three clearly differentiated areas. The Cràter-pou del Món, probably the most surprising, is a spiral path surrounded by bougainvillaea that looks like a volcanic crater. Nius i Pous del Cel (nests and cells) is a space with large metal structures covered in climbing plants and flowers. And the Voltes i Falgueres Gegants lead to the lunar landscape under four fern-covered arches. It is worth sitting and resting on one of the metal chairs designed by the architect that are submerged in the shade of the park’s lush, colourful, plants and trees.