The site of the project is situated at the confluence of two types of urban tissue: on one hand, the already iconic Eixample planned by Ildefonso Cerdà in 1859; on the other hand, the Sant Andreu neighbourhoods. Our plot is to be virtually crossed by one streets (Carrer de Josep Estivill) outlined after the Eixample layout but due to the proxity of the Carrer Gran de la Sagrera, the rail lines and the spatial limitations, this street does not continue further. The layout of the building volumes keeps this particular situation in mind: the two main volumes underline the direction of the street at a spatial level, but the pavement changes at the sidewalk level, allowing the passer to percieve the ingress to the cultural space’s realm without feeling a spatial rupture with the street. The sequence continues with an outdoor covered foyer, which constitutes a transiton place between the exterior and Nau Ivanow’s different hall foyers, but also a transition between the two types of urban tissue. The direction chosen was to preserve the existing structure of the naves, while also taking advantage of the existing structure of the covered sports court which provides an opening large enough to shelter the needed multifunctional hall. In order to give the ensemble a coherent, unitary image, both structures were enclosed in an envelope of reinforced brick walls and precast concrete modules. The light is allowed in through the lattice brickwork and skylights. The reasons for doing so are twofold: on one hand, to avoid the effect of a too strong, direct light, given the fact that the spaces are mostly used for talks, conferences, exhibitions, but also theatrical plays, rehearsals and various lessons. This kind of lighting allows a neutral, uniform illumination of the spaces. Secondly, the placement of the skylights through the effects of the reflected light, underlines the existing structures.
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