Evolution in scale.

Just as scale changes from one space to another, I would say: so have I. Whether you’re standing next to a Barcelonan dog or standing next to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia… you will always have that feeling of scalar change. In saying so, this past weekend I’ve come to the realization that this semester abroad is coming to a fast close; I’ve seen many things and with those many things I’ve learned a great deal. Having lived here for almost 4 months now, I can say that when I leave Barcelona I will have no regrets. Until then, I have made a “Things left to do in BCN” list. Of that list, I accomplished 2 this past weekend: The Botanical Gardens + Ras architecture bookstore.

Despite April’s random sunshine and shower storm days, we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens, located just behind the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. Walking through the gardens, the landscape architecture was notably tranquil and “angular.” It combined the elements of the landscape with the individual through angular and planar space. As you walk up the gardens, you feel a balance of scale between yourself and the exhibit (plants). Similarly, the space in its entirety is situated in a vast portion of Montjuic, overlooking its denser neighbor of the inner city. Very anti-climatic, the actual exhibition building at the top of the gardens was reverse of the actual garden. Larger in appearance on the exterior façade, the interior was a simple-narrow rectangular plan. On our way back down, we came across an unexpected water show. Lucky for us, we were able to see one of the greatest / dramatic “fountain shows” we’ve ever seen just at the footsteps of the Catalan Art Museum. Noteworthy of its monumentality, the fountain amazingly shot out 50 feet of water upward into the air. At the climax of each song, the height of water would most certainly place itself in my “scale” category. Water as element and height as catalyst, the fountain show had presented itself as a monumental scale element in the idea of “display culture.” It was also interesting to note the location of the fountain in comparison to the rest of the city. Just off of the metro stop of Espana, the area is very open and is focused on community and public spaces. Open in landscape and large in building scale, the space brings a unique characteristic to the area.