Hermitage Barcelona

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27 May 2021: The Board of Directors of the Port of Barcelona has approved the concession for the building of the Hermitage Barcelona: a major new international meeting point for art, design and culture, part of the global network of the State Hermitage Museum, to be located in the Port of Barcelona. Housed in a world-class building designed by Pritzker-prize winning Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, the Hermitage Barcelona is expected to be inaugurated in 2024. The Hermitage Barcelona is conceived to serve the citizens of Catalonia and the wider international community, enriching the region’s vibrant cultural heritage and expanding the city’s reputation on the global stage as a centre of cross-cultural collaboration. With access to the State Hermitage Museum’s world-renowned collection of more than 3.2 million objects, its range of exhibitions will be expansive, comprising art, architecture and design in all formats – historic and contemporary. In time, the Hermitage Barcelona will also build its own collection within the city: one that is born out of its specific context and unique experience. Crucially, the Hermitage Barcelona will engage with central issues of the times, telling stories for the city through the lens of one of the world’s greatest collections of international art and objects. Professor Piotrovsky, General Director of the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, said: ‘This very good news means that we can finally move to the next phase in developing a wonderful new building that will act as a bridge for cultural exchange between St Petersburg and Barcelona, between Barcelona and the Hermitage, becoming a point for cultural understanding of each other. Barcelona and St Petersburg are connected as two port cities, with the advantage of combining the traffic of international visitors with the cultural needs and cultural traditions of the city. The Hermitage Barcelona is intended to play an important new part in the cultural map of Barcelona, for the local people as much as visitors, and most importantly to establish a dialogue between people.’ The Hermitage Barcelona is a modern architectural icon in the making, led by the design of Toyo Ito, one of the world’s most renowned architects. The multi-level building spanning over 12,930 m2 takes the form of a billowing white structure, its ribbon walls marking a fluid boundary with the seafront and interconnecting the three public squares surrounding it. Toyo Ito is known for creating architecture that brings people closer to nature. Reflecting the latest evolution of the building and design industry the project will include a series of ecological innovations to guarantee its maximum efficiency and sustainability, while harnessing the natural potential of its seafront location. This will include 100% renewable air conditioning using marine hydrothermal energy and solar energy, in addition to incorporating sustainability strategies from LEED certification in line with the European NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) regulations. Toyo Ito said: ‘Barcelona's courageous strategies designed to care for the environment are recognized worldwide. Following these guidelines, the Hermitage Barcelona aims to be a reference point, not only as a cultural facility, but also as a model of respect for the environment. It will be here where thoughts and reflections of people from all over the world are exchanged. We want it to be a source of pride for the city of Barcelona.’ Located in the northern mouth of the Port of Barcelona, the Hermitage Barcelona will link the city to the port as a dynamic site of interaction, acting to charge the revitalization of the surrounding Barceloneta quarter and connecting with its neighbouring social and cultural facilities. The Hermitage Barcelona remains in close dialogue with the Port and Barcelona City Council as the project moves forward to create an asset of value to the city. With plans to create synergies and alliances across the institutional, museum and social environment of the city, the Hermitage Barcelona has already established agreements with entities including the Liceu Opera, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Reial Cercle Artístic, Barcelona Tech City and the Association of Veïns de la Barceloneta, with whom it looks towards a positive future for Barcelona: a future that celebrates culture, learning and discovery, for its residents and inquisitive-minded visitors alike.