The studio Revaluing Informal Settlements was developed during an exchange semester at La Salle Ramon Llull University Barcelona. The concept reimagines public spaces on underused building surfaces in informal urban fabrics to show that these can become new layers of public life — connecting generations and bringing together the local community.
Understanding the Quarter: El Carmel
El Carmel is a dense hillside neighbourhood in Barcelona shaped by decades of informal growth. Its steep topography, fragmented street network, and ageing population create both challenges and underlying potential. The district lacks accessible public space — yet its rooftops and hidden corridors hold the capacity for creating new micro spaces in-between.
In-Between Potentials
Mapping El Carmel reveals a hidden resource: unused rooftop surface across the school building and surrounding structures. These spaces offer room for additional public space within the dense urban fabric. It can function as an extension of nearby meeting points such as the highly frequented petanca club.
New Public Spaces for Informal Meetings
The rooftop becomes a new ground floor for community life. A layered system of public and semi-public spaces — gardens, seating areas, and connected pathways — invites elderly and young residents alike to gather, share, and co-exist.