The new library has been designed in the Mercat del Born, a former covered market dating from 1875 and now a listed building, and the first large steel structure in Barcelona. The building fell into disuse in 1971 and has remained empty ever since. In 1997 a competition was held to design the main branch of the public library in the Mercat del Born. This was won by Rafael de Caceras, a local architect. The market hall was built atop ruins of the 17th- and 18th-century city. These old remains were discovered when construction of the library got under way. As these were regarded as being of great cultural and historical value and to be preserved, the library project was called off. The name 'Urban Substrate' refers to these below-site conditions at the Mercat del Born.

Yet these very ruins were a perfect reason for using this site for the cultural advancement of Barcelona and its inhabitants. So building the new library here would have been the perfect solution. Urban Substrate is a new proposal in this direction. A library, after all, is a pre-eminent part of history. The new main branch consists of a 'body' that moves through the historical layers on site. An elongated volume winding its way through the former market hall, it picks out the high points of the different historical strata. Its various library functions are ranged along this route. The interior is constantly changing and the view out is different at every turn. This view and the distance from the features of historical interest consistently inform where those functions are positioned. The entrances and the busiest spaces are set alongside the excavations, the remaining spaces becoming quieter and more uniform with distance.

The promenade mould into which all library duties have been poured is suited to today's library and to the library of the future with its digital collection. This library has both books and the latest technology on offer in a comfortable and stimulating environment. Building technology is a key component of this project. The structural solution sees to it that the building touches the historical substrate as little as possible, while the library's facades are almost completely transparent. Inside the library, it is in fact the outside you experience the most; the spectacular spatial quality of the Mercat del Born, its resplendent steel structure, the historical ruins and, at times, a corner of the surrounding city.

Place of education: Rotterdam Academy of Architecture
Specialization: architecture
Tutors: Olaf Gipser, Madir Shah, Jacob Voorthuis