Project Description

The Spectacle of Production reimagines how we approach the design of factories. Building upon the historically rich site of the Model Prison in Barcelona, this project invites the public to explore the process involved in textile production, while simultaneously experiencing the rich site it is placed upon. Towering over the once powerful icon of the Panopticon, the project invites the residents of Barcelona to experience the full views of the site with an exterior stair that wraps around the façade providing different views as you ascend, while on the interior it immerses the visitors into the textile production process with a conveyor belt circulating around the interior of the façade all the way up the tower.

With gentrification being a huge problem in Barcelona and the concept of building tall towers for foreigners to get the “million-dollar views”, this project offers workers the best views of the city to be provided to the workers while also putting their craftsmanship on display.

The project was designed with sensitivity towards the subject workers: At risk youth girls and previously incarcerated women, with multiple programs and a façade design that provided an appropriate shading strategy but allowing clear views at eye level to provide a safe and open space for the women.