The Sant Antoni Market building, built according to a project by the architect Antoni Rovira i Trias and the engineer Josep M. Cornet i Mas, in 1882, is one of the most emblematic public buildings in Barcelona’s Eixample neighbourhood. It occupies an entire island and is organised in the shape of a Greek cross, reproducing in geometry and dimension the layout of the Eixample alignments.
The cover. Over the years it had disfigured the original roof, replacing the tile with fiber-cement slabs. The project has recovered its two-tone ceramic tile finish, placed on wooden panels. The original wooden support straps have also been maintained where possible. Skylights have been redone on units that were once blinded.
The walls. The existence of an underground part of the bastion of Sant Antoni, and the corresponding escarpment, have been decisive elements in the final drafting of the project. It is proposed the complete the maintenance of the existing part of the bastion and the almost complete maintenance of the escarpment, making it possible to understand and revive the space of the moat of the wall. These pre-existences have been incorporated into the project as an opportunity to increase the public interest of the whole.
Three Markets. The proposal to organise the functional program of the Market is to make possible, for the first time, the cohabitation of the two markets (Fresh Market and Charm Market), inside, without disturbing each other. The proposed layout of the stops respects the central axes that allow us to perceive the full dimension of the diagonal of the island. On the outside, the Sunday Market is located under pergolas located on the perimeter of the island.
The section. The building shows the ability to interrelate the different uses it contains. In basement floors, the heights are combined to achieve a higher gauge in the loading and unloading area. A first basement is dedicated to the new commercial uses, civic centre and museum.
