IAAC designs the Mobile World Capital Pavilion at MWC 2024

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) presents the design of the Mobile World Capital Barcelona pavilion at the Mobile World Congress. Under the title “Remember the future”, the pavilion has been inaugurated by the King of Spain, accompanied by the Minister of Industry of the Government of Spain Jordi Hereu, the Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, the Mayor of Hospitalet Nuria Marin, the General Director of GSMA John Hofman and the director of the MWC Francesc Fajula.

Designed by a team from IAAC, led by its Founder and Director, Vicente Guallart, and Daniel Ibañez, alongside Bruno Ganem, the pavilion had to explain the evolution of the industry in Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, from industry 1.0 (that of the steam engine) to 5.0 (that of Artificial Intelligence) and host a large conference space, an immersive space, a photocall, space for four technological experiences and a loft for the VIP room.

IAAC designed a wooden structure thirty meters long and eight meters wide, with five sections of roofs that show a transformation from straight and simple shapes typical of the first industrial revolution to a curved and organic roof typical of an ecological future. The structure has been manufactured by Tallfusta, using Kerto laminated wood and has a total height of six meters.

The pavilion will be repurposed and relocated to a park in L’Hospitalet, a city adjacent to Barcelona that also hosts the Fira de Barcelona spaces. Its distinctive use of wood—standing out amidst the usual panels and modules found in fair stands—is aligned with the philosophy of the Mobile World Capital, encapsulated in the motto ‘Humanising Technology’. The experiences include demonstrations and technology from the automotive industry (Hispano-Suiza), fashion (Desigual), energy (Wall box), and technology (BSC). The immersive space developed by LaviniaNext and OnionLab has an impressive three-dimensional representation of five moments of technological development related to textile factories, urban development, automotive, media and artificial intelligence. The coordination of the installation has been carried out by Festival Off, which will also be responsible for installing parts of the pavilion’s content at various events over the coming months.

IAAC has already designed the pavilion for MWC 2023, which featured a large cross with six arms constructed using Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).

Credits

Client: Mobile World Capital
Design: Vicente Guallart, Daniel Ibañez, Bruno Ganem (IAAC)
Project coordination: Laia Pifarré
Construction Coordination: Festival Off
Design, Structural Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering: Tallfusta
Railings: Fresat
Timber: Kerto laminated wood
Media: LaviniaNext, Onion Lab
Photos: Adrià Goula

About the Mobile World Congress

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