The new horizon of Montjuïc: architecture, sustainability and modernity

Montjuïc is preparing to experience a new stage of transformation, a change that will combine the city's history and modernity. From 2026, the remodeling works will begin to take shape, with a completion date set for 2029, coinciding with the centenary of the 1929 International Exhibition. Three major architectural projects will be the protagonists of the first phase of this renovation, which aims to revitalize the Montjuïc site and turn it into a landmark trade fair space for the 21st century, a place that is both innovative and respectful of its historical surroundings.

This remodeling will not only seek to update the infrastructures, but also to make them more flexible, sustainable and adapted to the new needs of the 21st century. The Centenary Commission , formed by the Barcelona City Council , the Generalitat and Fira de Barcelona , presented the winning projects of this architectural competition on March 24, in a meeting that served to advance the details of the program of commemorative activities and the management bodies of the future space.

Artefacto. Smiljan Radic, Miquel Mariné Núñez, Beatriz Borque i César Rueda Bonet

The first project to highlight is the Multipurpose Palace, which will be built on the site where Palace 4 and the Congress Palace are currently located. This palace will be designed by architects Smiljan Radic, Miquel Mariné Núñez, Beatriz Borque and César Rueda Bonet, who have opted for a design entitled Artefacto. It is a two-storey building with more than 20,000 square metres of surface area, with a landscaped walkway of more than 2,000 square metres that will connect the buildings that currently occupy the Congress Palace and the Communications Palace.

On the other hand, the second project is the remodeling of the Palau de Congressos, which will be built on the site where the Palau Alfons XIII is currently located. The winning proposal, called Umbracle, is the work of Forgas Architectes, Archambac and Álvaro Alejandro Fernández. This project seeks to convert the space into a large set of open rooms, where natural light will be the protagonist. In addition, it will maintain the original structure designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, adding new accesses from the Plaça de Carles Buïgas, a large garden patio and an auditorium with capacity for more than 2,000 people.

Umbracle. Forgas Architectes, Archambac i Álvaro Alejandro Fernández

Finally, the third project will be responsible for the remodeling of the Palau del Vestit, which will become the new headquarters of the Fira Barcelona Innovation Hub. The winning design, entitled L'avantsala de la Fira, has been created by Bjarke Ingels Group and MIAS Arquitectura. This proposal proposes a three-storey Z-shaped building, surrounded by green spaces open to the public. The current facade of Plaça Espanya will be transformed into a large entrance portico to the gardens, offering a new space that will be, at the same time, modern and respectful of the environment.

These three interventions represent a firm step towards the creation of a more functional, flexible and modern exhibition centre, which will better integrate Montjuïc with the city. Mayor Jaume Collboni highlighted the importance of this project, which will not only renovate the buildings, but will also redefine the public space of Montjuïc mountain, with new connections, more public transport and a neighbourhood with subsidised housing. A great challenge that, with the first winning proposals, is already beginning to take shape, and which will undoubtedly mark a before and after for Barcelona.

L’avantsala de la Fira. Bjarke Ingels Group i MIAS Arquitectura