Public-private collaboration will lead to a new intervention in a green area of Barcelona. The owners of L'Illa Diagonal will cover most of the cost of updating the gardens of Sant Joan de Déu, attached to the shopping centre. The works are expected to start at the beginning of next year with an estimated duration of nine months. That is why they will make a donation of 3.8 million euros to Barcelona City Council. The formula is the same agreed to remodel other gardens, those of Clara Campoamor, in the same district of Les Corts, which will be paid for by the owners of the neighboring office buildings. The municipal government wants to promote, where possible, public space improvement projects with this co-financing system.
The gardens of Sant Joan de Déu cover an area of more than 8,000 m2. Its reform, designed by Batlleiroig, maintains the structure of the original project by the architects Manuel de Solà Morales and Rafael Moneo, also authors of the shopping center - the whole complex opened in 1993 -, recovering the lower layer of shrubby vegetation and covering, which was lost over the years, and which will now be replanted with new species. Together with the trees, which have grown considerably in these 30 years, the greenery will be increased, which will be the predominant element in the site. The intervention is inspired by the concept of biophilia, which enhances the naturalization of urban spaces and the improvement of the bond between people and plant species.
The planned update, in addition to rehabilitating the entire space, which has suffered a clear degradation, aims to respond to the new needs of citizens by promoting the use of this green area as a meeting place, rest and for the ' recreation, especially for the little ones. In this sense, the project is related to the renovation that is being carried out in the shopping center and, above all, in the face that faces the gardens (see box), which was also designed by Batlleiroig, and which encourages the connection of the building with a green exterior. The two actions, emphasizes Gerard Cutal, manager of L'Illa Diagonal, "will contribute to enriching the community life that can develop in the area, which will be an inclusive and accessible meeting space for everyone".
One of the most outstanding contents of the project are the new children's play areas, which will be divided into different sections to give each a special and differentiated character. A giant dome, a trampoline, swings and a climbing area will be incorporated. There is also a play area to cool off, where various elements and structures will be installed that will expel water, so that both children and adults can enjoy the area during the hottest months of the year. This installation will be removed during the winter months, leaving a large esplanade that can be used for different activities.
Another highlight of the project is the construction of an open-air amphitheater, located next to the 200-metre-long exterior canopy that the shopping center is erecting outside. It will be composed of a twelve-level grandstand and a lower free space of 85 m2 that will allow the celebration of all kinds of activities.
