The Architect as Mediator

This article is from the archive of Roca Gallery. It was first published in May, 2025

Who rules architecture? Cities evolve independently of architects’ opinions.

When defining architecture, we might think of the transition from geometry to space through construction. However, this view overlooks many crucial factors that shape it. Architecture must therefore be understood more broadly—flexible enough to adapt to new contexts and, above all, to coordinate with other disciplines that also influence the outcome of a concept or project.

Architects should act as mediators throughout the design process, responding to the needs and insights of professionals from various fields. What truly matters is that the original intuitions captured in the earliest sketches remain present by the end of the intervention.

This is both the central issue and defining condition of architecture. The collaboration between engineers and architects must be broadened to include other disciplines related to the environment, sustainability, and landscape design. However, engaging technical experts from fields such as law and economics is equally vital. This interdisciplinary approach enriches architecture and helps navigate its growing complexity. This cross-disciplinary dynamic increasingly shapes contemporary architecture. In this context, the architect is no longer just a project manager but a mediator who enables diverse disciplines to converge within a single architectural project.

A strong example of this is the new fish market in the Port of Barcelona, winner of the 2024 City of Barcelona Award, which stands out for its contribution to sustainable design, maritime identity, and the revitalization of the fishing industry. Its innovative design optimizes both functionality and efficiency, incorporating sustainability principles, renewable energy sources, and locally sourced materials. Seamlessly integrated into the port landscape, the building enhances its urban presence while promoting a stronger connection between the city and the sea through its openness and accessibility. The project balances respect for tradition with a contemporary approach, strengthening the fishing sector's resilience amid a broader port transformation.

In the words of the General Manager of the Port of Barcelona: "This was the last piece pending construction following the approval of the Special Plan for Port Vell in 1988—a long-standing challenge in the port’s transformation. It needed to accommodate the coexistence of various activities, incorporate the existing ice factory building, and successfully integrate fishing activity into an urban port environment. In this regard, the Llotja de Pescadors (fish market) is an architectural achievement that enables this duality of industrial use and civic openness, highlighting the use of innovative and highly durable materials."

The building houses the new facilities for the fish auction at the Port of Barcelona—an activity rooted in the primary sector—and the new spaces for the fishermen’s guild. It is organized into three clearly differentiated volumes or blocks, each serving distinct functions and processes tailored to the operational needs of the auction, including different fishing methods such as trawling and purse-seining, the docking of boats, and the preparation, packaging, and billing of fish by wholesalers.

These blocks, while independent in form, are connected by porches and walkways that ensure smooth circulation and provide protection for the fish. Of the three, the central block is dedicated to the guild’s functions as well as the administration and management of the complex. It is set back from the alignment of the other two and opens onto a west-facing courtyard around which the building’s main access points and key functions are organized.

The ground floor is surrounded by a walkway that can be accessed directly from the outside via a ramp starting next to the Torre del Rellotge (Clock Tower). This pathway allows the general public to observe the fish unloading and auction processes up close, without interfering with professional operations. It also provides direct access to the site of the future restaurant.

The north block, located at the entrance to the fishing pier and adjacent to the Clock Tower, is entirely dedicated to activities for buyers. The south block, which incorporates the ice factory, also houses the box warehouse and the fishermen’s canteen on the first floor, for their exclusive use. The building’s exterior is finished with cast panel cladding, produced in the workshop from aluminum poured by gravity into steel molds.

Main image: View of the east facade between the Torre del Rellotge (Clock Tower) and the cable car. Photo © Joan Guillamat

The new fish market, Barcelona, 2024, Office of Architecture in Barcelona (OAB)