El Ninot Market according to its architect

The market, since its origins, has been a large covered place.

We conserve and repair the beautiful structure that supports that roof.

Beneath, we dig into the site to introduce new services that complement sales activity: logistics, parking, installations.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Rather than changing the visible volume, we change the surfaces that enclose it to improve the conditions of use and space, control the entrance of daylight and organize the adjacent urban space, integrating the presence of the outdoor stalls.

The interior is like a city. Two orthogonal axes (N-S and E-W) form the layout along which the stalls are organized, with the emphasis on their individuality.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

A large open foyer space on Carrer de Mallorca receives visitors. It is a plaza leading into this virtual city of commerce.

The inside space, bathed in the milky light we filter in from the exterior, is a hive of activity.

On the outside, the skins with which we clothe the existing structure open as they reach the ground to offer produce.

The market relates with the city by communicating its use; the streets and the plazas that are gained are places of exchange, not just of transit.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Remodelling of El Ninot Market
The building and the previous state

The building, constructed in 1928 by the ar­chitects Antoni de Falguera and Joaquim Vilaseca, occupies an elongated site between Carrer Villarroel, Carrer Casanova and Carrer Mallorca, the street with the main entrance, which was raised approximately 1.5 metres above grade prior to our intervention.

The floor plan is laid out in a T-shape, produc­ing two spaces to the sides and a passage to the rear, which acted as a car park and loading bay.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

The metal structure comprises three volumes: two side volumes subdivided into two ridge roofs, and a central volume that rises above them. The complex is enclosed by a three-metre stone and brick wall and a slatted facing.

Ventilation and daylighting, though limited, were possible thanks to the layout of the floors, the arrangement of the structure with its raised central part, and the slatted facing.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Intervention of Josep Lluís Mateo

The intervention of Josep Lluís Mateo centres on four key points: maintaining the impressive existing struc­ture, improving approaches, redesigning the façades and roofs, and exploiting the subsoil.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Structure

The structure of the market, with its metal roof trusses, is the most distinctive feature of this facility. One of Mateo’s first decisions in this process was to maintain the market’s characteristic metal structure com­prising three volumes, the central taller than the ones either side, to encourage ventilation and the entry of daylight.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Imagem 07 Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Redesign of the Façades and roof: Light in the space

The side façades have been re­designed to integrate the outdoor stalls, which no longer extend out over much of the surrounding pavement.

Furthermore, the façades and roof have been modified to let natu­ral light shine in while controlling direct solar radiation which could harm the produce. This is achieved by a system of perforated slats that regulates the entry of natural light.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Light in the space

“The space took the form of a great pre-existing roof. Beautiful. The very lightweight structure, screwed together, floating apparently effortlessly over the site.

We were to enclose it hermetically, letting in light but not direct solar radiation.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

A slat system was built. Sheets of perforated and folded stain­less steel. Perforated to differ­ing densities, graduating their relationship with the site (more opaque below, more open above).

Folded to highlight their rigid­ness and draw in light reflected to the north.

Great effort was deployed in the workshop to create them. Rigidness and controlled per­meability were the keys according to exterior light, the experience changes.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

By day, the building seems opaque on the outside, and constant light invades it inside.

By night, when lit up inside, the building emphasises its lightness and transparency.

(As they reach the ground, the slats transform to accommodate inside them the small outside stalls. They fold or twist. The base moves)”.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Ocupation of subsoil

To adapt the market to the present-day needs of logistics and installations, it was decided to excavate the subsoil, creating two underground floors that house the car park, a supermarket, loading bays and storage space. With the creation of this new space, the structure is raised, requiring work on the foundations.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

Reorganization of the access

The approaches have been reorganized, adapting the floor to the differing levels in order to eliminate the existing unevenness, and bringing together the approaches in a unified space in the main foyer. The foyer offers users an overview of the market and access to the lower floor.

Remodelling of the Ninot Market, Barcelona, Spain, 2015. Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura
Foto / Photo Adrià Goula

project data

project
Remodelling of the Ninot Market

First Prize, Public Competition

year
Project: 2008
Construction: 2010-2015

site
Barcelona, Spain

area
16.184 m2

architecture
Architect Josep Lluís Mateo / Mateo Arquitectura

cliente
IMMB-Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona

structural engeering
Boma

instalations engeeniring / budget control/ security and health standards
Mur Garganté

photo
Adrià Goula