Barcelona explores urban complexity in new exhibition at the House of Architecture

The exhibition uses data and everyday objects to analyze the city's evolution and its response to modern challenges.

Generic image of the interior of a rationalist building featuring a modern architecture exhibition.
IA

Generic image of the interior of a rationalist building featuring a modern architecture exhibition.

The Barcelona City Council has opened a new exhibition at the former Gustavo Gili publishing house, exploring the city's identity through the lens of architecture, demography, and urban planning.

Titled Barcelona, diversity, intensity, complexity, the show is a key part of the World Capital of Architecture events for 2026. Curated by experts including Francesc Muñoz and Andreu Domingo, it uses data to debunk myths about migration, showing that Barcelona has been shaped by newcomers since the 19th century.

"The city is the best invention in the world; it concentrates problems but makes us better people."

Maria Buhigas · Chief Architect
The exhibition highlights the city's massive daily flow, with 2.6 million people moving through its streets. It also compares different urban fabrics, advocating for the 'compact city' model found in districts like Eixample, which fosters social proximity despite the challenges of limited green space.