Barcelona’s ‘Three Chimneys’ Transformed into a Digital Media Hub
Introduction
The city of Barcelona has announced the winning design of an international competition to repurpose Les Tres Xemeneies (The Three Chimneys), a former thermal power plant decommissioned in 2011. The proposal by GdSB Arquitectes in collaboration with Marvel Architects aims to transform the site into Catalunya Media City—a centre dedicated to media production and technological research. The Barcelona Three Chimneys project is thus a significant urban development.
Respecting Industrial Heritage
The project views the former industrial structure as an integral part of the city’s collective memory. The design preserves the three towering chimneys, the most visible remnants of the site’s past, and introduces precise architectural interventions to open the concrete shell and create flexible, multi-purpose spaces. This approach ensures the Barcelona Three Chimneys project honours its heritage.
“The proposal doesn’t erase the past but integrates it with the present through an open structure of light and movement.”
— From the competition jury report
Functional Transformation
At the core of the site lies the turbine hall, originally composed of three modules corresponding to each chimney. The new design introduces a fourth module, following the same rhythm, to establish a balanced and symmetrical composition that expands the site’s spatial capacity while preserving its original height. This functional transformation is a key aspect of the Barcelona Three Chimneys development.
“Adding a new module is a step toward restoring structural balance without disrupting the historical context.”
— GdSB Arquitectes
Creating a Flexible Media Production Space
The renovated complex will include areas for media production, digital workshops, and cultural events. A central courtyard brings natural light and ventilation into the heart of the building. The first three levels connect the old and new structures, while the upper floors emphasise the contrast between historic and contemporary elements. Importantly, the Barcelona Three Chimneys project creates innovative media spaces.
Urban Integration and Considered Expansion
The project is carefully integrated into its urban surroundings, connecting with Logistics Street and the coastal landscape. The expansion is done horizontally while maintaining the original height, ensuring minimal impact on the city’s skyline. This urban integration is essential for Barcelona Three Chimneys.
“We are not building over history—we are building through it.”
— Marvel Architects
Project Summary Table
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Les Tres Xemeneies Renovation |
| Location | Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona, Spain |
| Architects | GdSB Arquitectes in collaboration with Marvel Architects |
| New Function | Media production and tech research centre – Catalunya Media City |
| Preserved Elements | Three chimneys – original industrial structure |
| Architectural Additions | Fourth module in turbine hall – central courtyard – digital façades |
| Project Type | Adaptive reuse of a former industrial site |
| Status | Under development – construction expected in the coming years |
