Days 7-14: What the Spanish call 'Classes'

Sorry it has been awhile since I last uploaded, but we hadn't gone on many trips lately and so I didn't think I needed to...

Well apparently we did a lot that I forgot about this past week, because I have a ton of pictures. Most of them are from class, but don't let that make you think they are boring. Here is what we did for classes this week:

MONDAY- We took a bike tour through the city, looking at different case studies that matched each of our sites for our project.

By the way, taking about 35 students, most of which haven't ridden a bike in awhile, and two professors through a city of 4 million on bikes is probably not the safest thing in the world.

Note to self, city buses do not stop for anything in their way..... even people. haha

Like I said, quite a few bikes...

Random street on our tour... everywhere here is so pretty.

A street in Barcelona that was turned into a park, it goes for blocks!

School and residences, a case study for my project

Library, the second case study for our project

The courtyard that was caused because of the opening to the street

 A little sneak peak to our project topic: Different techniques used to expand public space (like reflection)

TUESDAY- We met our professor at the train station and took a train out to Colonia Guell. It is one of Gaudi's lesser known projects. It was a factory town outside of Barcelona. He never finished it, but the crypt (church) that he built there is still pretty amazing. It needed no buttressing, it would have all been self supporting rock.

One of the main streets of Colonia Guell with the factory in the background

Houses of Colonia Guell

Houses of Colonia Guell

One of the oldest houses for the factory workers

Replication of Gaudi's model for the church that he built upside down

Front entrance to the finished crypt of the church

Detailed ornament made from recycled crushed glass

The interior was really awesome.

This shell was for the holy water, it is real from the Philippines when they were under Spanish rule

Unfinished main floor of the church

WEDNESDAY- Our class took an extended tour of parts of Barcelona we had not yet been. We went to the Forum area, Mina region, and other places that are just now being revitalized after gypsies were forced to move there not too long ago because no one wanted to live in this area. Now with the city growing and public transportation moving to these areas they are starting to be redeveloped.

Forum Building by Herzog & De Meuron

Even though this building has an interesting design, it is considered a failure because it sits empty and in disrepair. 

Forum Building Overhang

Forum Building Overhang

Pavilion on the Forum site that has been adapted to be used as a ropes course/wilderness park

Rambla de Mina

New residences developed in the Mina area of Barcelona

New residences vs. old gypsy residences that were mass produced in the 1970s

The interesting thing here is that the city has decided to keep the old 70s residences and to open them up a bit. The challenge will be integrating the new with the old...

Gypsy residences

In a different area of Barcelona, there is a similar situation but with a different solution. The city is tearing down housing that was built in the 1920s, and putting in high density housing that can be seen all over Barcelona. It is a touchy subject to say the least...

Street where people still live and have lived for over 70 years

Residences that are prepared for demolition

The new building type that will replace the old

Another area we visited was the La Maquinista area of Barcelona. This used to be the industrialized area of the city, but as industry moves out, new residences and commercial businesses move in. There is an Apple store, a Starbucks, and, yes, even a Hollister in this area.....what is this world coming to? lol

La Maquinista Residences- Ready to climb some stairs?

La Maquinista Park & Museum

THURSDAY- We actually had a normal class and stayed inside...I know, I was shocked as well. ;)

WEEKEND- The weekend consisted of a lot of sleeping and nothing too exciting. On Saturday, however we decided we wanted to get to know a random part of the city. So we got on the Metro (Subway) and got off at a random stop. Here is what we found...

Plaza de Torros (Bullring)- No longer used because bullfighting is outlawed in the Catalonia region of Spain

Plaza de Torros

Random building with cool shading devices

Again, I thought it was real cool!

Old Catalonia Government Electrical Company Building

Arc de Triomf- Yes, Paris is not the only one.

Ramblas around the Arc de Triomf

Palacio de Justicia

Parc de la Ciutadella

Honestly, I don't know what this is, but it was a cool picture. :)

Well those were the highlights of the last week. I hope it was slightly interesting and that a lot of people read this blog because it took me forever to upload these photos. haha Tomorrow we have our first presentation in studio, so I hope it goes well. It feels weird to be doing actual school work, I don't know if I like it. ;) But that is it for now, enjoy!

Until next time...

Un abrazo,

Seth

Micah 6:8