Paint puts life into Spanish neighbourhood
Addition of colour turns a neglected city square into an inclusive space
The town square has often been the heart of a community — the place where people meet, fall in love and catch up on gossip.
Now cities around the world are recreating these centres of connection by rethinking and updating public spaces. In Olot, Spain, northeast of Barcelona, a neglected concrete park — Sant Miquel Square — has been transformed into a vibrant square for children’s playtime and community festivals.
What they had: Four years ago, the City of Olot decided certain neighbourhoods needed sprucing up to better accommodate residents’ needs. The city of about 33,000 is known for the scenic volcanoes in the area and also boasts a vibrant community of artists. Yet, some areas had become run down and badly in need of change.
One of the first areas the municipality decided to tackle was the square in the working-class neighbourhood of Sant Miquel. Established in the 1980s as a space for the community, it had been divided into two different levels and fell into a state of neglect.
Neighbours complained it was dirty, dull and poorly lit. Women, girls and older people shunned it.
Architect Eduard Callis and his partner Guillem Moliner of unparelld’arquitectes redeveloped the area.
“The square had been reduced to a multi-sports court that was a focus of disputes between players and the neighbours,” Callis says. “Any other activities or potential users were excluded. The square didn’t work as an inclusive community space.”
What they wanted: “A space in which residents felt comfortable strolling, sitting or celebrating,” says Josep Gelis, Olot’s councillor of urban services and public space. “A place where they could organize events and be proud to live next to.”
So Callis proposed a plan to transform the square into a kinder, safer and more integrative public space. “In the same way salt enhances the flavour of a stew, the correct amount of paint strengthens the square’s identity and unifying character, and by extension that of the neighbourhood as a whole.”
What they got: With a budget of € 20,000 (about $30,000 Canadian) and only a week to develop the project, Callis says it had been conceived more as an intervention rather than a conventional re-urbanization project.
He explains: “We applied a selective layer of paint, comprehending and enhancing the spatial quality, geom- etry and construction systems of the square’s architecture. We operated mainly by painting a carpet on the lower platform pavement, visible from all around, and painting patterns on main walls and tops of columns. This new layer provides the wall of concrete blocks with a sense of lightness, brightness and colour.”
He used a claret red for the walls and column tops to enhance the warmth of the space and to contrast with the grey of the mortar block and pavements. Callis says that particular colour of red usually covers balconies during city celebrations so it creates a festive air. He also added three other colours, including pinks and purples, on the pavement and the stands.
“The geometric patterns evoke domestic life and the events that are characteristic of the neighbourhood, such as the paper costumes parade, the traditional farandula dances and the outdoor concerts under the marquee,” Callis says of the final result. “Somehow it opens a door to the inner landscape of people, both those who were born in Olot and those coming from afar.”
As well, the city improved street lighting in the main area of the square, which is a finalist for this year’s European Prize for Urban Public Space 2016.
How it changed things: The changes have been a hit with the community, especially kids and older people. “The square is now kinder, more cheerful and refined but, above all, it’s more welcoming and can take in more uses,” Callis says. “It can easily and safely host a much wider range of activities, far beyond mere ball games in the court.”
Residents agree. Teresa Senyer says it’s now mostly used by children, their parents and older people. She loves the different look.
Neighbour Araceli Cano also likes the decor. “It’s striking and gives personality to the neighbourhood.”
Another resident, Josep Codinach, says the square used to feel sad, but now that’s changed. “It’s a nicer, happier place where you feel more comfortable spending time with friends and family. I take my son to play football there sometimes.”
Olot’s population has increased in the past 20 years, as people from India, Morocco, China, Romania and Gambia have streamed in and transformed the neighbourhood into a diverse area.
“These communities have the good habit of making use of the public space,” Callis says. “It’s crowded every day until the evening, with many children playing ball games. It is also the place where every September Sant Miquel festivities are celebrated, receiving visitors from other parts of the region.”
And yes, city officials are happy, too. Of the changes, Gelis says, “(The square) has gained life, dynamism and lightness.”