Forum Area and Solar Photovoltaic Plant The architects José Antonio Martinez Lapena and Elias Torres Tur designed the Forum Esplanade which is the central plaza to the new suburban cultural center that is located on the coast next to what has been transformed into a combined cycle plant and the new Besos waste treatment plant. Waste water is treated here and recycled into the city system, used by the Innovation District in particular that is closest to this more marginal area of Barcelona. The transformation of this part of the city includes a massive 14 hectares with a Forum Building and a Convention Center (CCIB) that host indoor and open-air cultural activities, as well as a solar photovoltaic plant also inaugurated in 2004 with the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona at the entrance of the new Marina. The 4.500 m2 pergola is mounted on four concrete pillars and provides both shade and energy, producing 1.100 kW peak.
Solar photovoltaic plant provides energy to the city. Courtesy: Municipality of Barcelona.
AGBAR Tower (center-right), City of Barcelona, October 2011. Source: Revolve.
AGBAR Tower is also fascinating due to its double skin. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and built in 2005, the tower is 142 meters high with 31 floors. The ‘double skin’ refers to the inner concrete wall with openings and coated with insulating material, and the outer steel frame and glass slats oriented to minimize solar heat on the façade that is illuminated by 4,200 LED luminous devices. The opening and closing of the glass shutters on the façade is regulated by temperature sensors on the outside of the AGBAR Tower which helps reduce energy consumption and air conditioning.
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