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Ricardo Bofill
Taller de Arquitectura
W Barcelona Hotel
Barcelona, Spain
The building, known as “The Sail” appears as a modern icon rising above the Mediterranean sea.
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Located on the Nova Bocana (the “new entrance”) of the Port of Barcelona, which “opens” the city’s historic centre to the Mediterranean, W Barcelona is near the world famous boardwalk La Barceloneta and Barcelona’s Old Town and Las Ramblas.
The slender 26-story hotel sits perpendicular to the dock to allow for unprecedented sea and city views from virtually every guest room. This volume is inserted in the low atrium building, the lobby of which reveals views of the sea and enjoys zenith natural light.
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
The reflecting facade of silvered glass blends harmoniously with the colors of the Catalonian sky and the sun drenched sparkles of the Mediterranean.
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Public functions are accommodated under a platform conceived as two huge terraces. A big congress room with a large window over the sea breaks with its volume the horizontal lines of the base of the building.
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
The hotel W Barcelona is a five star-hotel with 473 rooms, 67 suites, a roof top bar, large spa, large scale outside terraces, including a pool area, and other spectacular public spaces. The infinity edged pool is surrounded by sun terraces and fully equipped cabanas.
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Photo Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
“Barcelona is the mixture of all architectures. We have everything. The most excellent urbanism and the most incredible variation of architecture pieces you can find, from the Roman Walls to the latest modernist icons. The result of thousands of architects working together for two thousand years. We hope that W Barcelona becomes part of this story. “
Ricardo Bofill
Sketch courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Sketch courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Sketch courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Sketch courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Sketch courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Photo © Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Model
Photo © Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Model
Drawing courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Plan
Drawing courtesy Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Section
Site area: 10 hectares
Total floor area : 42,818 square meters
Completed: 2009
Founded in 1998 in New York City, W Hotels continues to transform into a global powerhouse. W Barcelona will be the brand’s second property in Europe following the opening of W Istanbul last year.
Client: Nova Bocana Barcelona sa.
Architect: Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Project Directors: Ricardo Bofill & Jean Pierre Carniaux
Architectectural Construction Director: José Maria Rocías
Project team:
Architects:
Eduardo Wachs
Giorgio Cui
Antonio González
Ricardo Grais
Hilario Pareja
Julia Morgado
Gabor Somssich
Andrea Müller
Aurélie Louvion
Martín Cagno
M. Vergano
Alejandro Ríos
Mónica Pagliaro
Interior Design:
Marta Vilallonga
Héctor Gasco
Alejandro Boix
Joan Baseira
Structural Engineering: IDEAM enterprise
Francisco Millanes
Luís Matute
Miguel Ortega
October 26, 2009