Reusing Rooftops Barcelona 2024

Texas A&M University

Project idea

''ECO-LOGIA Graella (Ecological Grid)''
Learning by playing: Enhancing Biodiversity and Social Connectivity.

The urban fabric of Barcelona, characterized by its distinctive grid pattern, faces a shortage of green spaces—less than 6.6 square meters per resident. This scarcity impacts local ecosystems and contributes to the decline of bird populations. Once home to 160,000 birds across 83 species, Barcelona now sees a marked decrease. Nearly 36% of Catalonia’s nesting bird species breed in Barcelona, highlighting the irreplaceable role of the local ecosystems. In response to these bio-environmental challenges, this proposal, ECO-LOGIA Graella (Ecological Grid), aims to revitalize the city’s declining biodiversity and create a healthier urban environment, benefiting both bird species and residents, especially the children.

Project description

The proposed interventions transform rooftops and courtyards into vibrant, adaptable outdoor spaces. By integrating local flora and fauna into an ecological grid, these areas boost biodiversity and provide sanctuaries for birds, bees, butterflies, and pets. Green rooftops linked by a meandering pathway will serve multiple purposes, including reducing urban heat island effects, improving air quality, and providing habitats for various species akin to their natural habitat, thereby improving the city’s biodiversity.

Central to the concept is the creation of dedicated children’s play zones in the courtyards. Recognizing that children are naturally curious and sociable, these spaces are designed to facilitate environmental awareness and social bonding from an early age. The courtyard will feature various interactive elements in a playground-like setting, allowing children to participate in activities that teach them about nature, sustainability, and community engagement in an immersive environment.

The proposal adopts a grid pattern mirroring Barcelona’s urban layout and traditional motifs which fosters a sense of familiarity and belongingness among the residents. It enhances the modularity and adaptability of space and future expansion opportunities. The pattern will be enlivened with vibrant colors and climbing plants, chosen to attract wildlife and create a visually stimulating environment appealing to children while echoing Barcelona’s world-famous colorful architecture.

Technical information

To promote and demonstrate sustainable design practices, solar panels will be integrated to the proposed light-structure grid to reduce electricity consumption, and lightweight aluminum extruded hollow tubes will be utilized for construction, ensuring adaptability and environmental responsibility. In the courtyard, vertical column clusters will harvest rainwater for irrigation.

In summary, this proposal is a holistic design initiative addressing Barcelona’s ecological, educational, and social needs by creating functional and engaging green rooftops and courtyards, nurturing environmentally conscious individuals while enhancing biodiversity and community well-being.