Sarrià-Sant Gervasi in focus

Barcelona is entering the final phase of its year as UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, with Sarrià-Sant Gervasi designated as September’s featured district. Over 100,000 people have participated in events since the title began, according to Barcelona City Council data.

The programme continues until 13 December and spans all ten city districts. This month coincides with La Mercè festival (23–27 September), whose official poster by artist Cinta Vidal highlights Barcelona’s architectural status and features iconic city buildings.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi combines historic nuclei like Sarrià and Sant Gervasi de Cassoles with modernist and contemporary buildings, villas with gardens, and towers. Its green spaces and unique topography offer insight into urban transformation across this part of the city.

Key sites and exhibitions

A central venue is the Rei Martí Reservoir, a little-known site near Torre Bellesguard linked to historical water mines. Rediscovered in 2001 and restored in 2015 by Archikubik studio, the space spans nearly 600 m² across seven vaulted naves supported by Catalan-style ceramic arches and pillars.

The Rei Martí Reservoir will host guided tours, sound walks in Collserola, and the travelling exhibition De dividirges a façanes. A legacy for the city, exploring how party walls can transform housing and neighbourhoods.

From this hub, activities include garden tours in Sarrià, a Jane’s Walk examining urban life through Jane Jacobs’ lens, and sound landscape explorations in Vallvidrera.

The cooperative housing project Torrent Viu will be showcased, along with Des de la tanca, an initiative offering public insight into the construction of the new Sarrià-Sant Gervasi police station.

Workshops, debates and public engagement

  • Millorem el barri: a workshop for children to reimagine public space.
  • Apropar casos d'arquitectura i disseny social: highlighting architecture’s role in addressing social needs.
  • Architecture Dialogues at Biblioteca Joan Maragall.
  • Healthy Homes, Healthy People: examining links between housing conditions and public health.

Other citywide events include Construïm la Sagrada Família at Els Encants, where participants use LEGO® to explore Gaudí’s work, and the A&A. Architecture and Craftsmanship series featuring workshops and demonstrations on traditional trades.

Exhibitions and urban routes

Major exhibitions include:

  • Ciutats en trànsit. Repensar, regenerar – on urban regeneration.
  • L'Escola d'Arquitectura de Barcelona, en la definició de la vida quotidiana a la ciutat (1875–2025) – at Museu Marítim.
  • El dret a la ciutat: Els barris de muntanya de Sant Genís i Trinitat Nova – focusing on mobility and housing.
  • Paisatges Perduts, opening 30 September, on disappearing architectural and landscape heritage.

Guided routes will cover FAD Prize-winning buildings in Poblenou and an archaeological walk beneath La Rambla. Festival d’Arquitectura returns with Llars Mundet reopening to the public, and tours spotlighting architects like Josep Maria Jujol and Antoni Bonet Castellana.

Professional gatherings and future highlights

The EAUH 2026 Conference Urban Networks in Europe and Beyond brought international urban historians to Barcelona from 2–5 September, accompanied by over 25 specialist workshops and city tours.

The programme looks ahead to the World Architecture Day celebrations on 5 October. Between 3 and 10 October, Architectural Showcases will convert shop windows across the city into temporary exhibitions using models donated by architects and studios.

This initiative links the World Capital of Architecture with Barcelona’s designation as European Capital of Local Commerce. Applications for participation are open until 4 September for businesses, architects and firms wishing to bring architecture into everyday urban life.

Reported by metropoliabierta.cat.