The project arises from a community effort by the youth of the Espirall neighborhood, involving them through art and public space. This is a first intervention in which a multi-use artifact and a mural were designed and constructed in a participatory manner. It was decided to act on a plot currently used as a parking lot behind the old Pelegrina market. This space was considered interesting since the market is being converted into a youth center. The artifacts, however, are modules that can be easily moved to be used in different parts of the neighborhood. They were designed considering the available materials (tires) and those that could be purchased at a low cost (formwork panels). The modular design was conceived to address the uncertainty of how many people would participate in the workshops and the work capacity available. The design also allowed for tasks suitable for different age groups. It was also positive that participants could complete a module from start to finish, as this generated satisfaction and enabled them to be independent in creating new pieces and passing on knowledge to new participants.
The objects built can occupy a space as seats, tables, bleachers, or small stages depending on their configuration. The hexagonal shape was chosen to optimize the use of wood, its fit with the tire, and its aggregation with other pieces.
The mural intervention was carried out to create something always visible, even when the artifacts are not present. It was designed so that everyone could participate. On the first day, work was done with paints and colorful sprays, giving participants freedom to write or draw whatever they wanted. On the second day, the negative space of the word “HOLA” was painted in white, chosen during the process to represent that Espirall has always been a welcoming neighborhood for the different communities that have arrived in Vilafranca.
- Completion: 2016
- Client: Ajuntament de Vilafranca
- Location: Barri de l’Espirall, Vilafranca del Penedès