Bloc4BCN opened its doors on Saturday, October 25 as part of the 48h Open House
Barcelona architecture festival. It received 468 visitors, making the day a notable
success. Participants got a first-hand look at this cooperative space in the old Can
Batlló industrial complex, which has been transformed into a centre for community,
cooperative, and Social and Solidarity Economy projects.
The Bloc4BCN building, which is 4,500 m 2 and was completed in March 2024 after six
years of renovation and an investment of €10.5 million, is an example of a restored
piece of our industrial heritage. The architectural project (which preserved the
structure, factory walls, metal beams and even the “scars” left by the building’s multiple
uses) values the essence of the old factory while transforming it to create a space for
cooperative and community work.
One notable part of this process was the unexpected discovery of a Neolithic
necropolis during the excavation of the foundations, along with later agricultural
remains—remnants of a past older than what was previously known in this area.
Although this discovery slowed down construction, it also added a new historical
dimension to the space.
During the event, visitors were able to walk through the shared spaces, the workshops
and the agroecological kitchen designed to support cooperative food production and
processing. Upstairs, they got a look at shared working spaces, meeting rooms, and
the event hall: a soundproof space capable of housing all sorts of events.
Bloc4BCN isn’t just architecture: it’s infrastructure for social transformation. Here,
cooperatives at different phases of growth find support, guidance and workspaces,
promoting a fairer, democratic, and community-based economy.
With the 48 Open House visit, Bloc4BCN reaffirmed its commitment to being an open,
transparent space under ongoing, collective evolution. Work will continue to ensure that
rather than just a building, it’s a meeting point, a boost for cooperativism, and a space
to imagine new possible futures.