MNAC 2421 in Montjuïc Barcelona

Reimagining Cultural Connectivity The MNAC 2421 project in Montjuïc, Barcelona, is a visionary expansion of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, designed by H arquitectes and Christ & Gantenbein. The project ambitiously reconverts the Victoria Eugenia Palace, aiming to strengthen the museum's connection with the city and its neighboring cultural institutions. This intervention is part of a broader initiative to requalify the Montjuïc area, marking the centenary of the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition. Typologically, the building is defined by its systematic structure and distinctive pyramidal skylights. The design employs a free plan in a bidirectional grid with spans of nearly 12 meters, ideal for exhibition purposes. The architects propose preserving this grid for exhibition uses while leveraging the exceptions within the structure, such as the flat roof and level differences, to articulate the project's spatial dynamics. Exhibition spaces are strategically placed beneath the skylights, with new slabs harmonizing level differences into expansive exhibition planes. The spaces between these levels become opportunities for public, logistical, and technical programs. The hall, located under the altered flat roofs, invites natural light and ventilation, creating a passage that seamlessly connects the museum with the city. The design introduces glass blocks to refill the reticular coffers of the original skylights, respecting their structure while allowing the construction of new translucent, walkable slabs. This architectural passage, characterized by light, length, and sinuosity, blurs the lines between interior and exterior, offering a transitional space akin to a covered street. The project emphasizes maximum connectivity by relocating the circulation axis to the perimeter, enabling access from multiple public entrances and activating the museum at all levels. The urban character is further enhanced by placing public programs like the auditorium, restaurant, bar, and shop adjacent to the passage, infusing life into the museum.

Design Highlights

Preservation of the original grid structure for exhibition uses Strategic placement of exhibition spaces beneath skylights Introduction of glass blocks for natural light and walkable slabs Creation of a transitional passage connecting the museum with the city Integration of public programs to enhance urban character

Key Facts