Premise
In the dense urban fabric of Barcelona, small unused “interstitial” spaces represent untapped potential. This competition challenges participants to transform these neglected urban fragments into vibrant “Pocket Parks,” continuing Barcelona’s legacy of pioneering urban design.
Objective
Design a modular, scalable, or site-specific pocket park acting as a “breathing room” for the city. The design should facilitate social interaction, solitary rest, and environmental cooling with minimal infrastructure disruption.
Site
Participants may respond to a typical 10m x 10m urban void within Barcelona’s grid, addressing Mediterranean climatic realities like shade, surface permeability, and urban heat island mitigation.
Constraints
– Social Seating: Flexible, inclusive arrangements for individuals and groups.
– Greenery: Native, low-maintenance, drought-resistant Mediterranean species.
– Shade: Passive cooling via canopies, vines, pergolas, or tensile structures.
– Sustainability: Use of recycled, locally sourced, or low-carbon materials.
Evaluation Criteria
– Social Impact: Accessibility, quality, and inclusivity of public zones.
– Environmental Response: Effectiveness of shade and microclimate cooling.
– Aesthetic Integration: Spatial harmony with Barcelona’s architectural heritage.
– Feasibility: Practicality of construction, cost-efficiency, and maintenance.
Schedule & Fees
– Early Bird Registration: 30 September 2026 ($29 USD)
– Standard Registration: 31 October 2026 ($49 USD)
– Late Registration: 20 November 2026 ($69 USD)
– Final Submission Deadline: 25 November 2026
Submission Requirements
– 1 x A1 Presentation Board (PDF format, minimum 150 dpi, maximum 20 MB)
Awards
– Overall Winner (x1): Global Recognition + Media Feature + Certificate
– Runners-Up (x4): Global Recognition + Certificates of Excellence
– Participation Certificates: Awarded to all verified entrants
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