Partial adaptation of the turbine hall at the Besòs thermal power plant

The project focused on the partial adaptation of the Turbine Hall at the Besòs Thermal Power Plant, a building listed as a Local Cultural Heritage Asset (BCIL). The action met the need to put part of the complex to use for cultural and artistic activities linked to Manifesta 15 and the future Catalunya Media City project while always preserving the industrial identity of the property.
From a construction standpoint, structural consolidation works were carried out on the main elements of the hall.
Metal pillars and trusses were reinforced, floor slabs were repaired, and existing concrete elements—many affected by oxidation and cracking—were inspected and restored. The roofs were also renovated, with damaged panels replaced and new waterproofing and insulation systems added to ensure the building’s safety and durability.
On the exterior, exposed brickwork and concrete façades were restored through cleaning, repointing, and applying protective treatments compatible with the original materials. Inappropriate elements added over the years were removed, and openings and enclosures were consolidated to restore the hall’s original appearance. At the same time, interior floors were upgraded and adapted routes were set up to ensure universal accessibility.
Regarding functional adaptation, new entrances and emergency exits were created, provisional lighting,
HVAC, and basic service systems were installed, and the intervention was completed with the cleaning and preparation of interior spaces. Safety signage and the necessary elements for public use were also fitted.
Finally, all actions were coordinated under sustainability criteria and with compatibility for future uses, leaving the hall prepared for potential subsequent phases of definitive adaptation within the Catalunya Media City framework. In this way, immediate use for temporary cultural activities was achieved while at the same time preserving and enhancing a heritage property of great interest within the new Besòs urban and cultural hub.