Architectural Cases

A temporary art piece, "Plou prou?" (Meaning "Enough rain?" in Catalan), by Cierto Estudio, h3o architects, and Metrònom, has been installed at the famous Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona. This initiative, chosen through an Open Call for Barcelona's 2026 World Capital of Architecture, aims to spark contemplation on the intricate connections among architectural design, water resources, and the intensifying climate crisis. The central focus of this intervention is the pavilion's renowned reflective pools, which, despite their aesthetic appeal, represent delicate ecosystems susceptible to heat and evaporation, demanding constant replenishment to maintain their visual integrity. To highlight this often-overlooked phenomenon, twelve elevated industrial containers hold over 12,000 liters of groundwater, precisely the amount estimated to vanish from the main pool through evaporation over the fortnight duration of the display. A contemporary aqueduct, suspended above the pavilion, returns this collected water to the pool drop by drop, thus rendering the continuous process of evaporation and the relentless march of time strikingly apparent.

Complementing the water installation, six interpretive panels are situated on the exterior wall of the pavilion. These panels delve into the ecological, political, and historical aspects of Montjuïc's water systems. Their texts are designed to be invisible when dry, revealing their content only when sprayed with water by visitors, thereby transforming the act of reading into an interactive and contemplative experience. The entire "Plou prou?" project draws a connection between the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion and the unseen water infrastructure of Barcelona, extending to the broader waterscape of Montjuïc. The collaborating studios, Cierto Estudio, h3o architects, and Metrònom, advocate for understanding architecture not as an isolated entity but as an integral component of a larger ecosystem, underscoring a collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship. The installation also featured a public program encompassing performances, poetry readings, discussions, culinary events, and musical acts. These accompanying activities aimed to revive the historical role of fountains as vibrant communal spaces for interaction, exchange, and shared introspection, further enriching the public's engagement with the themes of water, architecture, and sustainability.

Revealing Water's Fleeting Presence at the Barcelona Pavilion

The "Plou prou?" installation at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona serves as a profound commentary on the invisible yet significant water loss in architectural settings, especially within arid climates. By elevating industrial tanks containing the equivalent of two weeks' evaporation from the iconic pools, the project makes tangible the constant struggle to maintain the aesthetic and functional integrity of these water features. This visual representation compels visitors to confront the environmental cost associated with architectural design and maintenance in an era of escalating climate concerns. The deliberate choice to use a dripping aqueduct to return the water underscores the continuous, often unobserved, cycle of water consumption and replenishment.

This innovative ephemeral intervention, a brainchild of Cierto Estudio, h3o architects, and Metrònom, was selected for its insightful approach to the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture's theme. It challenges the conventional perception of architecture as a static art form, instead presenting it as a dynamic element deeply intertwined with its natural surroundings. The reflective pools, usually admired for their serene beauty, are reframed as fragile systems demanding thoughtful consideration regarding water sustainability. The project's methodology, transforming an abstract environmental issue into a concrete, observable phenomenon, encourages a deeper understanding of human impact on natural resources and the need for more sustainable architectural practices.

Engaging with Montjuïc's Water Heritage and Fostering Collective Responsibility

Beyond the direct visualization of water loss, "Plou prou?" extends its narrative to the broader ecological and historical context of Montjuïc's water systems through interactive panels. These panels, strategically placed on the pavilion's exterior, invite active participation from visitors who must apply water to reveal hidden texts. This participatory element not only educates but also physically connects individuals to the theme of water, transforming passive observation into an engaging, hands-on learning experience about Barcelona's hidden aquatic infrastructures and Montjuïc's rich, water-dependent past.

The collaborative team behind "Plou prou?" emphasizes a holistic view of architecture, positioning it as an active participant within a larger ecosystem. This perspective challenges the notion of isolated architectural marvels and instead promotes a sense of shared responsibility for environmental preservation. The public program accompanying the installation further amplifies this message by reviving the historical significance of fountains as hubs for community engagement, intellectual discourse, and artistic expression. By integrating performances, poetry, debates, gastronomy, and music, the project creates a multi-sensory experience that reinforces the importance of water as a life-sustaining element and fosters a collective commitment to addressing climate change through architectural innovation and community action.

In the heart of Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, a 1968 dwelling has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, expertly guided by architects Isak Chung and Jinpyo Hong. Dubbed Saekdong House, this project is a testament to sensitive architectural intervention, blending preservation with contemporary adaptation. Nestled in a densely packed urban block, the original structure presented unique challenges, including its elevated positioning and the remnants of an air-raid shelter. Rather than erasing these historical imprints, the architects thoughtfully integrated them, crafting a residence that respects its past while embracing a forward-looking design ethos. The transformation introduces an innovative courtyard, expands living areas with a new annex, and reinforces the existing framework with timber, all while reflecting a design philosophy that celebrates the harmonious coexistence of diverse elements.

The historical context of Saekdong House, built in 1968 amidst geopolitical tensions, adds a layer of depth to its design. The presence of an air-raid shelter, a common feature in homes of that era in Yeonhui-dong, was not treated as an obstacle but as an integral part of the narrative. This subterranean space, initially a vestige of a bygone era, has been reimagined and incorporated into the home's new circulation, connecting the courtyard and annex. The architects' decision to retain and reinterpret such elements highlights a respectful approach to the building's heritage, transforming what might have been viewed as peculiarities into defining characteristics of the revitalized structure.

A pivotal aspect of the redesign involved the strategic removal of the former living room to introduce a central courtyard. This bold move was instrumental in addressing the inherent challenges of a landlocked plot, ushering natural light and improved ventilation into previously confined spaces. The area freed up by this alteration was judiciously reallocated to construct a new annex in the southern part of the yard. This rebalancing act of subtracting and adding not only optimized the use of space but also enhanced the overall living environment, demonstrating a clever 'domestic accounting' that yielded both functional and aesthetic dividends.

The project draws its philosophical underpinnings from 'saekdong', a traditional Korean artistry involving the collation of variegated fabrics to create a unified textile. Chung and Hong deftly translated this principle into the architectural realm, allowing a spectrum of contrasting components to maintain their individual identities while contributing to a harmonious whole. The interplay of aged and modern materials, robust timber alongside lightweight FRP, and the juxtaposition of enclosed rooms with open courtytyards, all converge without sacrificing their unique visual characteristics. This mosaic-like logic extends across various scales, encompassing everything from furniture to the overall structural integrity, and from interior finishes to the exterior facade, treating each element as a distinct yet interconnected piece within the larger domestic landscape.

In reinforcing the existing framework, timber elements were strategically integrated, enhancing both the structural integrity and aesthetic warmth of the interiors. A subtle, low-ceilinged internal corridor now seamlessly links the reconfigured spaces, guiding inhabitants through the redesigned layout. Externally, a distinctive jade-green FRP eave offers shelter from precipitation, safeguarding pedestrian circulation. Furthermore, the original, heavy roof was replaced with a more refined and lighter gable, contributing to the home's updated profile. Below ground, the floor of the former air-raid shelter was excavated to create a more functional headroom, with a sunken pathway connecting the new courtyard and annex, ensuring that even the lower level benefits from natural illumination and enhanced movement.

The Saekdong House project stands as a prime example of adaptive reuse, where the narrative of an existing structure is not rewritten but carefully edited and expanded. By embracing the building's inherent 'oddities' and integrating them into the design, the architects have crafted a home that feels both intentionally assembled and deeply rooted in its context. This approach not only revitalizes an aging structure on a challenging urban plot but also transforms a historical wartime shelter into a meaningful and functional part of modern living, demonstrating a profound respect for both history and innovation.