Five international teams have been shortlisted to design a major new cultural development on Barcelona’s waterfront.
The Liceu Mar International Architecture Competition is being held for a cultural hub at the city’s port. The new, 9,000-sq-m building will be a second venue of the Gran Teatre del Liceu. The project involves transforming the Moll d’Espanya pier at Port Vell, integrating architecture and urban planning.
The five teams are:
- Japan’s SANAA and Spain’s Camps Felip Arquitecturia;
- Norway’s Snøhetta and Barcelona’s Batlleiroig Arquitectura;
- A Spanish team featuring Estudio Barozzi Veiga, Maio Archietect and Burgos y Garrido Arquitectos;
- Japan’s Sou Fujimoto, with Spain’s Gras Reynés arquitectos and Alday jover arquitectos;
- A local office of England’s David Chipperfield Architects with b720 Arquitectura and Creus e Carrasco Arquitectos.
The project aims to further integrate the city to the sea. The Port of Barcelona will manage the urban development around the facility, while Barcelona d’Infraestructures Municipals will build the Liceu Mar building.
The project is due to open to the public in 2032, with the competition winner announced after June 2026, following a second competition round.
55 international entries were submitted to the judges. Each finalist team will receive €25,000 in compensation.
The winning team has the ability to win two more contracts for executive project and site management.
The original Gran Teatre del Liceu is Barcelona’s oldest surviving theatre building still in use.
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