The CHI PLAY 2019 venues are located in the 22@ district, characterized by its modern architecture and also known as the city’s technological neighborhood. 22@ is Barcelona’s most important urban transformation project of the last years and one of the most ambitious in Europe of these characteristics. It began as a government initiative to transition the historic but rundown industrial Poblenou (literally, “poble nou”, or “new town”, in Catalan) neighborhood into a technology and knowledge-driven economic powerhouse
Today the 22@ district plays host to universities, research and training centers, startups and cutting-edge technology companies alike.
Poblenou Campus
The conference main venue will be located at Poblenou Campus, built where formerly the factory named Ca l’Aranyó used to be. Factory, warehouse and chimney belonging to a textile factory like the ones in Manchester in the 19th century (1887) during the industrial revolution. The factory (La Fàbrica) now houses the library while the warehouse (La Nau) houses research groups.
Address:
Carrer Roc Boronat, 138
08018 Barcelona
Further information:
Disseny Hub Barcelona
Disseny Hub Barcelona is an open, innovative and experimental municipal facility that is physically and conceptually designed to be the engine and driver of the knowledge economy, creativity and innovation. It is a multifunctional and multidisciplinary centre that seeks to turn the emerging design sector into a leader in Europe and the world.
The facility is the great gateway to the Poblenou neighbourhood and the 22@ innovation district with its unique architectural profile whose cantilevers and façades poke out over the new urban centre of Plaça de les Glòries. Its wide diversity of spaces, rooms and services means it will become the focal point of design in Catalonia and a space open to all audiences.
Address:
Pl. de les Glòries Catalanes, 37-38
08018 Barcelona
Further information: ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dissenyhub/en
The Venue Area
The venue area is located at the Poblenou Campus, in the 22@ district, a modernized neighborhood with a unique architectural profile, on the eastern side of the city which hosts branches for many important technology companies and startups. This is a lively and very well connected area (train, bus, subway, tram) with several very important landmarks that can be found at a walking distance.
Transport to the 22@ district
Once in Barcelona, there are several possibilities to reach the venue.
- By Metro: This is probably the most convenient way, using the red line (L1). The venue is very near the “Glories” stop. Just 4 stops away from the city centrer (“Catalunya” stop). See metro map.
- By Tram: The L4 tram line “Ca l’Aranyó” stop is just in front of the venue. See T4 line stops.
- By Bus: Bus number 7 crosses almost all of Barcelona and the “Roc Boronat” stop is very near the venue. See stops.
- By Train: A bit furhter away, but still at walking distance (15 min), the “El Clot- Aragó” train station connects the district with the rest of Barcelona’s train stations, as well as the airport (R2 line, green) and many of the nearby coastal cities (R1 line, blue).
Hotels
There are many hotels, from different categories, near the venue (at walking distance). Some are listed here:
- Hotel Ibis Barcelona Pza Glories 22 – 2-star hotel (about 100€/night) – 550m to the venue
- Holiday Inn Express Barcelona – 22@ – 3-star hotel (about 113€/night) – 1.0km to the venue
- The Gates Hotel Diagonal – 4-star hotel (about 120€/night) – 230m to the venue
- Hotel Novotel Barcelona City – 4-star hotel (about 150€/night) – 270m to the venue
District Highlights
The 22@ is a very lively district, with many hotels and restaurants around the main venue. In the last decade, it has become the result of a very important architectural transformation process, although its old industrial heritage (especially, chimneys) can still be found. There are many modern design buildings, parks and interesting places to visit around the venue.
Torre Glòries – Impossible to miss by the evening, Jean Nouvel’s design of the Torre Glòries brings to mind the distinctive shape of the mountains of Montserrat or the eruption of a geyser (among other things). The bioclimatic building is surrounded by a skin of aluminum painted in shades of red, brown, and blue, overlaid by a glass façade with more than 59,000 louvers.
Encants – Since 2013, the mirrored roof offers not just protection from the elements but also reflects the economic activity of Barcelona’s biggest and most famous flea market. With about 300 stands and businesses, you can find pretty much everything there: from old videocassettes to vintage jewelry.
Glòries shopping mall – It has an area of 67,000 m2 dedicated to trade with 130 establishments, ranging from well-known international brands to retailers of local origin. Food and catering are present throughout the area, especially in El Mercat de Glòries, an area of 3,000 m2 that presents a varied gastronomic offer. A complete renovation of the center, with the signature of the designer Javier Mariscal (creator of Barcelona’s olympic mascot, Cobi), was carried out at the end of 2017.
Parc del Fòrum – At the other end of the main Diagonal Street, and almost at the city border to the southeast (14 min by tram, T4 line), you can visit the Natural Science Museum and a gigantic photovoltaic pergola that dwarfs anybody standing at its base. With its sloped surfaces, the expansive site is a mecca for skateboarders.