This project is an experiment of connecting Plaça d’Albert Francàs with flora and fauna, giving a prospective of designing for more than humans. This design exercise was built upon the previous workshop “Co-creating Public Spaces”. For more information about the previous proposal, please visit the blog post.
In our co-creation project, Spaces of Negotiation, we categorized the plaza into two types of spaces: those requiring intervention regardless of stakeholder input (non-negotiable) and those open to discussion (negotiable). The non-negotiable interventions included aligning the two axes for seamless movement across either side of the park and reworking the terracing to improve accessibility and functionality. While we prioritized the remaining interventions based on our observations and insights from neighborhood interviews, the ultimate goal was to allow stakeholders to decide which interventions to implement and in what order.
When incorporating the More-than-Human perspective into the plaza design, we revisited the negotiable spaces and adjusted our priorities. Recognizing a gap in our stakeholder engagement, we refocused on the neighboring hospital. This interaction inspired us to explore medicinal herbs as an ecological feature. Many of these herbs not only have traditional medicinal applications but also attract pollinators, particularly butterflies. The relationship between these plants and butterflies added a layer of ecological value and created opportunities for human connection with the natural environment—a harmonious pairing that reinforced our vision for the space.
Research Phase
Re-visiting the Site
Plaça d’Albert Francàs, located in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, lies within the “fifth finger” of Pinta Verde, an urban planning initiative aimed at enhancing ecological connectivity across the municipality. During the research phase, we revisited the park to document its existing flora and fauna. The vegetation is predominantly composed of various tree species, with minimal ground-level plants. Among these, Aloe Vera was the only medicinal plant identified. The ground cover primarily consists of bare soil, a result of recent water shortages. However, residents have expressed a strong desire to restore greenery to the park’s ground surfaces.
Flora to Add:
The ground-level plants selected to attract pollinators needed to meet two criteria: they had to be native to Spain (or commonly found and non-invasive) and possess medicinal properties. These plants were grouped into three categories: herbs, shrubs, and climbers.
Butterflies to Attract:
Barcelona is home to a variety of butterfly species, but we chose to focus on two in particular: Papilio machaon (the Swallowtail Butterfly) and Vanessa cardui (the Painted Lady). These species stood out due to their distinct relationships with the region. The Swallowtail is native to Spain and completes its entire lifecycle here, meaning it could potentially reside in our pollinator park year-round. In contrast, the Painted Lady is a migratory butterfly that travels from Africa, using Spain as a breeding ground during its journey. For the Painted Lady, creating a safe environment for egg-laying became a key priority in our design.
Seasonality:
To ensure our garden supports the two butterfly species, we carefully considered the life cycles of both the butterflies and the plants. We included some of their preferred plant species, such as Lavender, Fennel, Thistles, and Milkweed, to meet their needs at various stages of development.
Fluttering Interventions:
Zones of Connection
Based on a comprehensive site analysis, we developed the following proposals to promote biodiversity by strengthening connections between flora and fauna while fostering meaningful human-pollinator relationships:
• Heal(th) Zone: A dedicated area near the hospital featuring medicinal herbs and healing plants, designed to benefit elders and patients. Community members can harvest these herbs, deepening the bond between humans and non-human species through the act of gardening. This process allows people to enjoy cultivating plants, reap the benefits of fresh herbs, and nurture the greenery.
• Cocoon: A sanctuary created to support butterfly breeding and reproduction. Its primary function is to protect butterfly eggs from predators like birds, while also serving as an educational space where the community can safely observe and learn about the butterfly lifecycle.
• Biome Pavilion: An interactive structure designed as a shared space where humans and biodiversity can coexist. The pavilion, inspired by the remodeled Central Park from Spaces of Negotiation, features open vertical columns to support climbing plants such as Lonicera etrusca and Clematis flammula. Surrounding the columns are seating areas, offering visitors shade and the opportunity to enjoy the vibrant climbing flowers and the butterflies they attract.
Final Design + Prototype
