The Santa Caterina market’s site is the result of the superimposition of numerous historical strata dating from the Bronze Age, with a necropolis of which there are still some remains. The first market was built in the 19th century on the ruins of a monastic structure, and the last intervention aims to mend the structural and organisational deficits of the old market. The project is based on the overlap between the old and the new, from a conception of action that seeks to establish a continuity with this series of historical overlaps. The number of stops is reduced and power lines are created inside, creating new connections between the surrounding streets. The new roof overlaps the old perimeter factory and recovers its image from neighbouring houses, while being based on a structural principle of stable fragility.

The Santa Caterina market is the key piece of an urban plan also developed by Enric Miralles with Xavier Sust, which aims to connect Francesc Cambó Avenue (and the Cathedral) with Passeig de Sant Joan without having to gut the Gothic Quarter, as in the original Cerdà plan did.
The market seeks to change the section of the street and reduce it to deliver it against the narrower streets that make the connection. To do this, they dismantle the original building by Josep Mas i Vila, who is also the author of the pergola of La Boqueria market, and advance the roof until it overflows the original perimeter of the market and pours onto Francesc Cambó Avenue. The new roof recycles much of the wooden trusses that formed the original roof structure, perfectly visible from the inside.
At the back there is a new square and a space to visit the ruins of the convent on which the market sits. This square is used for houses that are arranged hovering over the market, also made by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue. There is a recycling plant under the houses.
The new roof, with a wooden soffit, distinguishes the market space and makes it a warm place, with stalls arranged in circuits that lead to the back square. An interesting restaurant completes the program.
The exterior of the roof forms a ceramic mural with fruit designs, probably the most unique roof in the city, colourful and spectacular, a landscape only visible from the upper floors of the surrounding buildings and from satellite. The mural adapts as a second skin to the changing geometry of the roof, inspired by the Ciutadella’s Pavilion area.
The façade on Colomines Street secretly recycles, in a mural that forms the back of the market, cod sinks and other scrap materials from the demolition of old stalls. The Santa Caterina market’s site is the result of the superposition of numerous historical strata that date from the Bronze Age, with a necropolis of which there are still some remains. The first market was built in the 19th century on the ruins of a monastic structure, and the last intervention aims to mend the structural and organisational deficits of the old market. The project is based on the overlap between the old and the new, from a conception of action that seeks to establish a continuity with this series of historical overlaps. The number of stops is reduced and power lines are created inside, creating new connections between the surrounding streets. The new roof overlaps the old perimeter factory and recovers its image from neighbouring houses, while being based on a structural principle of stable fragility.