EMBT: ricard viñes square

‘ricard viñes plaza’ by EMBT in lleida, spain all images courtesy EMBT image © elena valles

‘ricard viñes plaza’ by barcelona-based architecture office EMBT (enric miralles, benedetta tagliabue) is an open green space at the heart of lleida, spain. pivoting around a sculpture dedicated to the musician ricard viñes, the design pulls from the  idea of a traditional circular labyrinth to create an inviting public space out of bands of planting and brick paving.

image © elena valles

situated at a key junction in the city’s traffic, the 9,200 m2 plaza gives the space back to the public with the core of its design centered around the movement of the pedestrian. much like a labyrinth, the curvilinear carvings on the paving maps out a dance-like choreography on the square. the bands generate and guide a flowing circulation that the pedestrians are free to follow, constructing a route that encourages multiple vantage points of the immediate site.

images © alex gaultier

incorporating green areas into the plan, the different zones of the plaza is defined through trees and low shrubs as well as circular benches and natural stone pavings. at night, a sculptural light source starting from one side of the circle illuminates the whole square, lending a ‘street party’ atmosphere to the public space as well as serving as a visual landmark in the city.

image © alex gaultier

image © alex gaultier

image © alex gaultier

image © alex gaultier

image © alex gaultier

plan

section

project info:

client: lleida city hall site: 9,200 m2 materials: concrete, rubber, granite stone, grass,     bench: wood, metal framearchitect: benedetta tagliabue chief architects: josep ustrell, daniel rosselló construction: dragadoslights: INCONEL, ILUCA metallic structures: CALDELSA pavement: GLS, spain bench: MAGO gardening: vivero paraire, spain; glauca, spain