Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

Spanish architect Jordi Badia, founder of BAAS architects has designed the Can Framis Museum located in the 22@ District, Barcelona. The project consists in restoring the two current factory buildings which are connected by a new linear block. A new courtyard therefore is formed to define an entry plaza to the project.

With “Can Framis” we aim to play on contrasts, with a surrounding garden providing a tranquil breathing space away from the hubbub of speed and time.

Jordi Badia

+ Project description courtesy of BAAS architects

The new Fundación Vila Casas museum is located in the 22@ District, an area where Barcelona City Hall has promoted a full redevelopment of a former factory/heavy industry zone by substituting premises with light service industries. It is now primarily a high-rise, heavily built-up area housing service/hi-tech industries.

Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Pedro Pegenaute

With “Can Framis” we aim to play on contrasts, with a surrounding garden providing a tranquil breathing space away from the hubbub of speed and time. The mainly-paved garden will have many trees and winding paths which will embellish the cloak of ivy which already covers the environs and in the future will enshroud the building and trees.

The two buildings to be preserved have little architectural worth and are currently derelict. Their main interest lies in the contrast of their location, based on the former agricultural sketches prior to the implementation of the Cerdà plan at a level of 1.5m below the current road.

Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Pedro Pegenaute

Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Fernando Guerra

The project consists in restoring the two current factory buildings and constructing a new one which will link them, coinciding with the site of another former warehouse which – as a whole – will form a courtyard, paved with stones recovered from the former factory, which will be the main entrance to the museum.

Visitors will begin on the highest level and continuously move downwards through semi-lit areas, which will then light up to showpiece the exhibited pieces.

Wood appears copiously on window frames, staircases and between the buildings, as well as on the painting support screens, in reference to the material of the canvas frames.

Can Framis Museum, image courtesy of BAAS architects | Photo by Pedro Pegenaute

Outside, the lime mortar which blends with the existing stonework merges with the exposed concrete of the new buildings. The façade then becomes a collage of textures, niches and coverings which reflect the different ups-and-downs of the building throughout time.

Can Framis Museum - Site plan, drawing courtesy of BAAS architects

Can Framis Museum - Ground floor plan, drawing courtesy of BAAS architects

Can Framis Museum - 1st floor plan, drawing courtesy of BAAS architects

Can Framis Museum - 2nd floor plan, drawing courtesy of BAAS architects

+ Project credits / data

Project: Can Framis Museum
Site: ‘Can Framis’ Block, 22@ District. Poble Nou. Barcelona
Project data: 2007
Construction data: 2008
Surface: 5.468 m2

Architect: BAAS architects

Design principle: Jordi Badia
Collaborators: Project Leader Jordi Framis
Team: Daniel Guerra, Marta Vitório, Mercè Mundet, Miguel Borrell, Moisés Garcia

Collaborators

Structures: BOMA, Josep Ramón Solé
Installations: PGI engineering
Quantity Surveyor: FCA Forteza Carbonell Associats
Executive direction: GPO-Meritxell Bosch
Landscaping: Martí Franch
Project Management: LAYETANA
Contractor: Construcciones San José
Promotor: Fundació Vila Casas. Layetana

Photography: Pedro Pegenaute, Fernando Guerra (FG+SG)

+ All images and drawings courtesy of BAAS architects

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