Craving a glimpse into Barcelona’s revolutionary past? Casa Bloc stands before us. It’s more than just a building. It’s a statement. A testament to a time of social change.
Casa Bloc arose from the vision of Catalan architects Josep Lluís Sert, Josep Torres Clavé, and Joan Baptista Subirana. These members of GATCPAC sought to revolutionize urban living in the 1930s. They aimed to provide decent housing for workers. Their design promoted a new collective identity.
Imagine Barcelona during the Second Spanish Republic. The government was committed to social justice. Casa Bloc was a direct response to the poor living conditions of many workers. Many lived in shacks. The Casa Obrera, under the Catalan government, supported the project. They sought to improve the lives of the socially disadvantaged.
Construction began in 1932. Francesc Macià, then President of the Generalitat, laid the first stone in 1933. Casa Bloc was designed to have over 200 apartments in the industrial district of Sant Andreu.
But history took a tragic turn. The Spanish Civil War erupted. The project was cut short. After the war, the original intent was abandoned. Instead of workers, families of Nationalist forces occupied the building. Later, it housed the national police. The communal spaces were altered. The core social function was lost.
Casa Bloc embodies rationalist architecture. It aimed to integrate into the urban environment. The apartments were designed as functional, standardized accommodations for workers. In 1992, the Generalitat de Catalunya recognized its significance. The building was declared a protected heritage site.
Fast forward to today. Room 1/11 has been transformed into an apartment-museum. Disseny Hub Barcelona meticulously restored it. It reflects the original design. You can now experience firsthand the vision of its creators. The restored apartment showcases a period kitchen. It includes a bathroom, laundry area, and shower. Original cement tiles have been laid. Folding doors in the dining room have been replaced. These elements came from other apartments within Casa Bloc.
The apartment-museum offers a glimpse into the 1930s. It presents a duplex of 60 square meters. It’s located in block 2, floor 1, door 11. The layout separates day and night areas. Downstairs, you’ll find the entrance. There is a hallway, laundry, shower, kitchen, and bathroom. The dining room opens to a terrace. Upstairs are two bedrooms. Other apartments in Casa Bloc had variable bedroom numbers. This met different family needs. Natural light and cross ventilation fill every room.
Casa Bloc is more than bricks and mortar. It symbolizes a moment in history. A moment when architects and politicians dreamed of a better world for workers. It stands as a reminder of the past. It also inspires us to consider the future of urban living. Casa Bloc is now part of the Iconic Houses network. This further connects it to architectural heritage sites worldwide. It is a house very much alive.