W Barcelona Hotel
W Barcelona Hotel, located on the new entrance of Barcelona’s Port appears as a modern icon rising above the Mediterranean sea, and is the landmark of this new area to be developed with high-end retail, office and entertainment venues.
photography by © Ricardo Bofill
A sail-shaped building on a 10 hectares land claimed from the sea, is included in an ambitious urban renovation plan of Barcelona coastline. W Barcelona Hotel is a five-star hotel with 480 rooms, 67 suites, a roof top bar, large spa, indoor and outdoor pool, several food and beverage concepts and a retail store.
photography by © Ricardo Bofill
The closest volume to the sea is a thin building 105 meters high perpendicular to the dike (1 underground level, 1 ground floor level and 26 storeys). The reflecting façade of silver glass blends with the colors of the sky and the sparkles of the sea. Its allegoric shape is a reference point. This volume is inserted in the low atrium building, the lobby of which reveals views of the sea and enjoys zenith natural light.
photography by © Ricardo Bofill
Public functions are accommodated under a platform conceived as two huge terraces. A big congress room with a large window over the sea breaks with its volume the horizontal lines of the base of the building.
photography by © Ricardo Bofill
Project Info
Architects: Ricardo Bofill
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Project Directors: Ricardo Bofill & Jean Pierre Carniaux
Architectural Construction director: José Maria Rocías
Area: 42.818 m2
Year: 2010
Type: Hotel
Photographs: Courtesy of Ricardo Bofill
Hadeer Shahin is the Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she curates innovative architectural works from around the globe. With a background in architecture from Alexandria University and hands-on experience in design and digital content, she bridges the gap between technical precision and editorial vision. Hadeer’s keen eye for spatial storytelling and her passion for contemporary design trends make her a vital contributor to Arch2O’s mission of highlighting excellence in the built environment.