The Three Chimneys
Name
Les Tres Xemeneies
Location
Barcelona, Spain
Concept
Housing, Wavepool, Public park, Climbing tower, Lofts
Year
2023
Phase
Concept development (non active)
Surface area
120.000 m2
These 200-meter-tall chimneys were constructed in the 1970s as part of a thermal power station. The plant shut down in 2011 and has been abandoned ever since.
By reusing the existing buildings and infrastructure we could prolong the lifespan of valuable buildings, help keep the housing problem in Barcelona affordable and set an example for the creative reuse of valuable industrial heritage:
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1. Reuse chimneys for a combination of leisure and housing;
2. Reuse turbine hall for social housing
3. Reuse empty plot for multipurpose park
4. Reuse of cooling water from adjacent power plant (warm water) for a wave surf park;
Proposal for high-quality and creative reuse of industrial heritage
The 170 meter long turbine hall offers more than enough volume to accommodate a large number of social- and mid- level apartments with ocean view. The chimneys are of such a robust size that they could easily be transformed into a combination of sky restaurant with panoramic deck and high level lofts with 360 view over the city of Barcelona.
The operational power plants of Besòs deposit their warm cooling water into the Besòs river. This warm water could easily be redirected to supply a wave surf park with year round warm water. The existing empty plot of the former power plant could be used for a coastal metropolitan park, with open grass plains, areas for nature, recreational space, multi-aged play and exercise grounds and walkways for residents and visitors.
Connecting the natural running water of the river Besòs could create sustainable water management and help keep water usage to a minimum.