Jordi Barba: “Improving people's lives involves renewing the relationship we have with our environment”
Jordi Barba is a landscaping enthusiast, a profession he dedicates himself to methodically, influenced by his love for the field and his previous education in biological sciences and the environment. The architecture and legacy of his father, the renowned architect Javier Barba, as well as the influence of his grandfather Francisco Juan Barba Corsini, have shaped his understanding and appreciation for outdoor spaces. Jordi, a partner at BCEstudioGroup, a studio with over 40 years of experience in architectural design and a pioneer in green architecture, is the director of BCEstudioLandscape. A staunch defender of sustainability, he does not hide his interest in wanting to contribute through his work to the development of major urban landscape revitalization projects. Jordi sees great potential for development, especially in Barcelona, which is a benchmark in this discipline in many respects. At the beginning of the conversation, we asked him to explain what landscaping is and he describes: "According to the European Landscape Convention, the landscape refers to any part of the territory as perceived by the population, whose character results from the action and interaction of natural and human factors", he says. He adds: "A landscaper is responsible for studying, planning, designing, and managing outdoor spaces, guided by aesthetic, functional, scientific, and planning principles."
The definition provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO) complements this view by describing landscape architects as professionals who plan and design landscapes and open spaces for various projects, including parks, schools, institutions, public roads, and residential developments, and who also oversee their construction, maintenance, management, and rehabilitation.
Landscaping is a multidisciplinary profession
Barba's background in natural sciences, engineering, and environmental management has deeply influenced his approach to landscaping. "It's a multidisciplinary profession, and your studies and previous experience shape the way you tackle each project. There are other landscapers who come from the world of agronomy, gardening, architecture, or engineering", states Jordi.
At this point in the conversation, Jordi explains to us when he started collaborating with Núñez i Navarro. It was with the project Seventy Barcelona in 2018. At that time, the property, along with interior designers Rosa Roselló and Luís Bustamante, were looking for a landscaping studio for the hotel's outdoor spaces. It was a project where the guidelines were already established, and the work turned out to be very fruitful: "a haven of peace between the Eixample of Barcelona and Gràcia".
The challenge of integrating green spaces into the urban fabric
Working in Barcelona, especially within its dense urban fabric, gives projects a particular relevance, as they directly impact the urban environment and, by extension, the lives of the residents. As a landscape architect, Jordi feels the responsibility to do work that benefits not only the client but also the surrounding community, who will live with the results of these designs for many years."At Seventy Barcelona, we managed to create a pleasant urban oasis where the hustle and bustle of the city gives way to the tranquility of the garden, with the sound of water, the whisper of leaves, and the singing of birds. The neighbors enjoy the view of a beautiful garden with orange trees and ancient olive trees from their balconies, right in the center of Barcelona", explains Barba.
Sustainability and biodiversity are fundamental elements in their landscaping projects. Designing and building gardens in urban environments gives the landscaper the opportunity to contribute their bit to the green mosaic of the city, with the environmental and social benefits that this entails. In addition to the improvement of energy efficiency that green roofs provide to buildings, their contribution to urban ecology and the reduction of the urban heat island effect in cities, among other benefits. For Jordi Barba: "All these advantages are well studied. But to achieve this, the commitment of administrations, individuals, and companies is required, as is the case with Núñez i Navarro, who has demonstrated a firm commitment to implementing these measures and improving the urban environment."
He is clear about it. Understanding the client's needs and their vision is essential before undertaking any landscaping project. At the same time, it is equally crucial to analyze and thoroughly understand the project's environment, as well as the technical conditions that affect it. Jordi, along with BC Estudio, has carried out projects in many countries around the world, such as Greece, France, the United States, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, to name a few; and he comments that when it comes to designing a garden, it is never isolated; it is always subject to the specific conditions of the place; the topography, the vegetation, the climate, the architecture, the culture of each country or region must converge and integrate harmoniously with its surroundings."Although as a landscape architect one may develop a style or personal language, it is fundamental to find a balance in each project that respects and enhances the place where it is set. In landscaping, reference is made to the 'Genius Loci' of the place, a term that describes the unique spirit or soul of that space,"the landscape architect tells us. He knows that finding and honoring this spirit is key to creating designs that not only meet the practical and aesthetic needs of the client but also respectfully enhance the character of the surroundings, thus enriching the experience of the space for all those who inhabit it or visit it for the first time.
Challenges in creating urban green spaces: structure, waterproofing, and plant selection.
Afterwards, Jordi Barba discusses the challenges involved in working on green roofs. On one hand, roofs have a structural load limit that conditions the size of trees, the amount of substrate, and the structures that can be used. On the other hand, everything related to waterproofing and sealing is crucial to avoid future problems. These factors condition the options when installing certain structures, so it's important to know how to manage them properly. "Núñez i Navarro has extensive experience in this field", says Jordi Barba as he finishes his coffee. Then, there's the limitation of the available substrate and exposure to wind and sun. Choosing the right substrate for each case is essential, as well as selecting plants that must be adapted to the physical conditions of each case, especially the winds and sunlight that will affect the water and biological needs of each garden. The subsequent role of the gardener is crucial for the maintenance and proper development of the place.
And why is it such an important figure? According to Jordi, a garden reaches its maturity several years after it has been completed. This is because the landscaper works with living elements. Here it is crucial to understand how each of the plants chosen for the project will evolve over time. Therefore, it is essential that the gardener visits the space as often as necessary and takes care of the garden until the desired result is achieved. This includes subsequent maintenance work.
The selection of plants for your projects
Normally, Jordi starts his work with a small selection of three or four plant species that will form the structure of each project. This logic usually works for him in spaces like rooftops, where it is essential to choose plants that are resistant to the climate and physical conditions of each place. This initial intuition serves as a first working hypothesis. From there, Jordi develops the plantation design. During a research process, he selects other plants that could complement well the species chosen at the beginning."It's like putting together a puzzle that consists of a selection of three or four plants, or more, depending on the case. This methodology proves effective especially on rooftops, where conditions are limiting due to exposure to the sun, wind, and limited availability of substrate", says this landscaper who counts among his favorite plants the fan palm, the strawberry tree, and the germander.
“Generally, there are no major differences between the initial intuition and the final result. Plantation design is just one layer of the project and there is a whole previous work of designing structures for shading, planters, pavements, fountains, circulations, areas to stay or sit; with which one is already building a final image of what is intended to be achieved. I believe that the initial direction is usually correct. Moreover, I think that it is neither possible nor advisable to reinvent the approach for each project. With experience, you start identifying a set of plants that work well in different situations, and from there, in each new project, you add some new elements, as if they were additional ingredients in a known dish,” adds the landscaper who is settled in Barcelona.
Due to his profession and working in different countries, he always has an extensive bibliography, catalogs, and resources to study the plants of each place. One of the things he usually does on his trips is to visit specialized bookstores. For example, during a recent visit to London, he found very interesting publications on fruit plants and climbers, such as raspberries and blackberries. These types of experiences are what inspire him for future projects. In fact, he has already incorporated kiwis, blackberries, raspberries, and grapes into some of them.“The fact that a garden can be beautiful and functional, and also provide us with fruits or food for humans, as well as other resources such as shelter, water, or flowers for bird or insect species, gives these gardens relevance when it comes to contributing to urban ecology.”
Barcelona, a pioneering city in urban transformation
When referring to landscaping in Barcelona, Jordi states that for him, Barcelona is a benchmark where there are major urban transformation plans aimed at connecting different areas of the city through green corridors; "they will surely contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in Barcelona, making it more pedestrian-friendly and conducive to a healthier lifestyle. In ecology, and urban ecology as well, it is very important to understand that we are dealing with complex systems where the creation of small dispersed green areas in the city is not enough."However, it is a complicated process that requires decades of effort, structural changes, and urban and infrastructure adaptations. Often, the implementation of these plans generates controversy among the citizens due to inconveniences and problems that need to be resolved, inherent to these large processes of change: "Ultimately, our profession should aim to improve people's lives, and that necessarily involves improving the relationship we have and establish with our environment and the habitat we live in. This approach to the profession seems indispensable to me, especially due to the enormous challenges posed by the phenomena we are experiencing, related to climate change and its consequences."
Before we conclude our meeting, he makes a recommendation: to visit Montjuïc. This emblematic place in Barcelona offers a succession of gardens and parks, interspersed with museums and restaurants, as well as offering stunning views of the entire city. "The tour can end at the Parque del Mirador del Migdia, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Port of Barcelona and the Mediterranean", Barba recommends.
