La Raval

La Raval is a social housing project located in the heart of Barcelona’s multicultural Raval district, an area known for its historical complexity and vibrant diversity. The project, officially named Lady Raval, was designed by MIAS Architects to revitalize a previously fragmented and neglected building on the emblematic Hospital Street, an important thoroughfare in the neighborhood. The renovation transforms a decaying apartment block into a bright, welcoming housing complex centered around a redesigned courtyard. Once cluttered and closed off, the courtyard now serves as a communal heart of the building, fostering connections among residents. One of the project’s defining features is the extensive use of handmade ceramic tiles, co-created with architect and ceramist Carlos Jiménez Cenamor. These ceramics showcase patterns and colors inspired by the everyday lives and cultural backgrounds of the Raval’s diverse residents, many of whom are returning inhabitants of the restored building. MIAS Architects maintained the integrity of the historic structure while reimagining its interior as a collection of light-filled, open spaces. Circulation areas and hallways are designed to improve natural light and visibility, encouraging interaction among occupants. Lady Raval is not only a functional response to the housing needs of long-term local residents but also celebrates the memory, identity, and cultural richness of the community, serving as a model of socially-conscious urban renewal in Barcelona.