Los Gardens of Beatriu de ProvençaOne of the interior courtyards in the Eixample district is preparing for a profound transformation that will completely change how the neighborhood uses this public space. Located in the Sagrada Familia neighborhoodLocated between Mallorca, Provença, Nàpols and Sicília streets, these gardens connect several facilities in the surrounding area and have become a daily thoroughfare for many people in the neighborhood.
The City Council, through the district of Eixample, has approved a remodeling project The project prioritizes more seating areas, a renovated children's play area, and a significantly greater presence of vegetation and shade. The aim of this intervention is to transform the interior of the block from a mere thoroughfare into a more welcoming space, designed for relaxing, playing, and socializing.
A comprehensive renovation project in the heart of the Eixample
The approved action focuses on the current area of Gardens of Beatriu de Provença, a space of Sqm 1.463 which acts as a green lung and internal corridor in this part of the Eixample district. The municipal plan proposes a general reorganization of the garden, redefining its uses to improve the user experience in terms of both comfort and accessibility.
The district has detailed that the audiovisual intended for remodeling is located around one million eurosThis amount will allow for work to be carried out on the entire currently available interior of the block. The investment includes both the physical renovation of the space and the addition of new vegetation, play equipment, and shade structures.
Regarding the schedule, technical forecasts indicate that the Construction could begin around the middle of this yearprovided the process progresses as planned. The estimated duration of the work is five months, with the aim of completing the main intervention before 2027so that the neighborhood can enjoy the new gardens without excessively prolonging the inconveniences inherent in any construction work.
Beyond this first phase, the project includes the possibility of a future expansion of approximately 500 square metersThis expansion of the garden will depend on the release of the space currently occupied by an existing building in the area, so it will not be carried out immediately, but in a second phase once that additional scope is available.
New inclusive children's area and more seating areas
The central focus of the reform involves reconfiguring the central area of the gardens to transform it into a place designed for play and relaxation. The design includes a large children's play area designed from accessibility criteria, with the purpose of being a space adapted and inclusive where girls and boys with different needs can play.
This play area will be accompanied by shadow structures to improve comfort during the hottest months, an aspect especially valued in a district as densely populated as the Eixample. In areas where the subsoil prevents the planting of large trees, the project includes the installation of awnings and textile elements to guarantee cool areas without giving up the use of that space.
Alongside the play area, the new garden layout reserves different corners for the quiet staywith benches and areas designed for sitting, chatting, or simply taking a break. The city's intention is for the Beatriu de Provença Gardens to function as a small urban refuge for families, senior citizens, and users of nearby facilities.
A distribution of space is also proposed that facilitates coexistence between recreational and leisure usesAvoiding interference between more dynamic areas, such as children's play areas, and those where silence or reading is preferred. This balance is achieved through the organization of pathways, the placement of vegetation, and the arrangement of street furniture.
Differentiated paving according to the use of the space
Another highlight of the project is the choice of specific pavements for each type of zone, with the aim of improving both the safety and the garden's performance under intensive use. In the heart of the playground A floor will be installed shock absorber rubber in two colorsdesigned to reduce the impact of potential falls, and will also incorporate a sandy which expands the gameplay options.
The perimeter of this children's sector will be defined with stabilized sandA type of granular material that provides a natural look while allowing for comfortable passage. This strip will act as a transition between the play area and the rest of the garden, defining the different uses without the need for heavy physical barriers.
The main access areasThe internal pathways and the immediate surroundings of the fountain will be paved with prefabricated concrete slabsThis material has been chosen for its strength, ease of maintenance, and consistency with the urban aesthetics of the Eixample, where these types of solutions predominate in public spaces.
The combination of these pavements seeks to meet the requirements of each area: safety and comfort in the children's areaRobustness and clarity in the main pathways, and a more organic feel in the transitional spaces. All of this is integrated into a design that attempts to maintain a unified reading of the garden despite the diversity of materials.
Greener access to the nursery and social services
The remodeling of the Gardens of Beatriu de Provença It also focuses on the access to public facilities that open onto this interior of the block. Specifically, work will be carried out on the area surrounding the La Fassina municipal daycare and the Social Services Center, two facilities used daily by many families in the neighborhood.
The project foresees rearrange the entrance space These facilities were designed to facilitate circulation, increase brightness, and improve the perception of safety. The idea is to make the access more open and welcoming, avoiding dark or narrow areas and reinforcing the sense of continuity with the rest of the garden.
To achieve a greener appearance, the placement of vines on the facade of the gym adjacent, creating a kind of green screen that will soften the building's presence and provide visual freshness. This feature aims to improve the landscape integration of the buildings surrounding the garden.
In addition, a large tree opposite the entrance to the nursery, aligned with the three existing trees which already mark the route to the Social Services Center. This operation reinforces the role of vegetation as a natural guide for internal routes, while also increasing shade in high-traffic areas.
More vegetation and an organically designed perimeter
One of the central objectives of the intervention is to increase the feeling of green and natural space in this interior courtyard of the Eixample district, characterized by its high building density. To address this, the design envisions the creation of a perimeter zone with organic layout that envelops the garden and breaks with the usual geometric rigidity of the urban fabric.
This area will include the existing trees to new tree and shrub plantationscreating a belt of vegetation that reinforces the presence of shade and improves the environmental conditions of the space. The selection of species is geared towards having a mix of tall canopies and shrub layer to create different levels of greenery.
This perimeter vegetation treatment will also allow visually soften the impact of adjacent buildings and offer a greater sense of refuge for those using the garden. Although it is an open interior space, the intention is for people to perceive a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere, without losing the security provided by visibility in an urban environment.
The combination of paved areas, play surfaces and landscaped areas aims to make the Beatriu de Provença Gardens function as a multipurpose space, capable of responding to very diverse needs: from children's play to quiet stay, including daily access to daycare and social services.
With this remodeling, the interior of the block located between Mallorca, Provença, Nàpols and Sicília aspires to consolidate itself as a better equipped, greener and more comfortable neighborhood meeting point, aligned with Barcelona's commitment to reclaiming interior spaces in the Eixample district as authentic corners of everyday life.
