ANNA LIZARAN SQUARE

DESCRIZIONE: The objective of this project was to pacify the free space between the streets Ribas, Ali Bei and Sicilia, in the surroundings of the Estació del...

The objective of this project was to pacify the free space between the streets Ribas, Ali Bei and Sicilia, in the surroundings of the Estació del Nord in Barcelona; a space that, once works have finished, has been named Ana Lizaran square. In its configuration prior to the intervention, Ribas St. was a broad basalt sidewalk at the foot of the buildings, with a row of trees followed by a traffic band and a sidewalk with some more trees, chairs, a bicycle parking and a some bar terraces. Sicilia St., on the other hand, had the usual configuration of the streets of the Ensanche, with 5m “panot” sidewalks and a 10m asphalt road. The triangular plot of the square itself was at a higher level than Ribes Street and located atop a public parking lot that ventilated through two courtyards. The exits from this parking lot onto the square were configured as traditional constructions of blind walls. Although over-raised planters allowed the planting of small trees and shrub species, the space was fragmented and unwelcoming, with multiple corners, while segregated from its immediate surroundings. All added up made its use scarce despite the intense activity of Ribes street or the neighbouring Fort Pienc equipment. The low traffic of the Sicilia Street has allowed its transformation -between Ausiàs Marc and Ribes- into a single platform with priority for the pedestrian, reversing the sense of circulation, which is now restricted to service and resident vehicles. On the stretch between Ribes and Ali Bei, the traffic has been totally suppressed in order to incorporate this space into the square and facilitate that it can reach the foot of the educational equipment in front. With regard to the triangular space, the low walls and stairs that saved the difference with Ribes Street have been replaced by accessible inclined planes that make the relationship between both spaces significantly more fluid. The parking ventilation system has been modified in order to convert the existing patios into planters and its flooring has been changed to granite natural stone. The green point that existed has been displaced to have a less intrusive position, aligned with the petanque and incorporated into an environmental classroom space. The parking exits in the square have been renovated with stainless steel and transparent glass finishes. Children's games have been installed in the centre of the space. These interventions have significantly increased the space for pedestrians, but, above all, they have made it possible to relate much better the triangular space of the square with the facades of Ribes and Sicilia streets. This, added to the implementation of new uses, the quality of the materials and the clarity of the new space created, has favoured its permeability and its use, making the Ana Lizaran square an active part of the Fort Pienc neighbourhood today.