The Circle
Hall and Facade Design at Cercle Artístic Sant Lluc
This project creates a new entrance hall and façade signage for The Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc in Barcelona, with the aim to make it more visible and attract the public.
The symbol of a circle appears both in the exterior and the interior as a circle of light, relating to the arts centre’s name and purpose.
The entrance hall is transformed into an active and social space, with long benches on both sides that embrace the space.
Location:
Barcelona, SpainType:
CultureStatus / Year:
Proposal / 2012Size:
67 m²Client:
Cercle Artístic Sant LlucThe Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc is an arts society which was founded in Barcelona in 1893. Its attendants included Antoni Gaudí, Joan Miró and Joaquín Torres García, among many others.
The actual building where The Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc is located has an entrance hall connected to the street, with an interior patio.
The aim for this project is to make the access more visible and inviting from outside, to attract the public and give a message of what this arts centre is about.
Plan view
The project includes the refurbishment of the entrance hall and new signage in the façade.
The proposal plays with the name of this arts society, using the ‘circle’ as a symbol.
At the façade the circle appears as a circle of light, going beyond the surface as if it was trying to escape, next to ‘Sant Lluc’ in big letters. It could represent a halo.
The rendered façade is repainted in dark grey colour. At a lower level there is an area dedicated to display of information, with new illuminated signage.
View of the facade with the new signage
The empty interior hall is transformed into an active and social space, where the public can meet and get informed about the centre’s agenda.
The circle of light reappears, but this time hanging horizontally from the ceiling. It could represent the idea of grouping or embracing.
The walls of this space are repainted in dark grey colour.
Detail of the wooden benches
On both sides of the space there are long benches which expand from the centre, suggesting the idea of having been formed from a centrifugal force.
The benches are made of planks of wood with hidden steel structure, and incorporate lighting at the bottom. The back of the seat is exaggeratedly tall to create partially the surface of the walls. The vertical planks of wood have engraved the names of the people who have been president of The Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc.
New illuminated signage to display information on the facade
