Ca l'Aranyó, Industrial heritage site in El Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain.
Ca l'Aranyó is a factory complex with two brick buildings featuring cast-iron columns and traditional Catalan ceramic vault construction. The structures display the functional, sturdy design typical of 19th-century textile mills built for practical production.
The mill was founded in 1872 by Josep Marimon using designs from British company Prince Smith, operating as a cotton spinning and weaving facility until 1986. Its closure marked the end of textile production at the site.
The former mill now serves as part of a university campus, showing how Barcelona's working-class neighborhood became a center for learning and creative work. You can see how industrial spaces were repurposed for education and research.
The site sits within the 22@ technology district and preserves its original architectural elements while serving as a modern educational facility for audiovisual studies. The building is part of a larger park and lake area that you can easily explore on foot.
The building blends Manchester-style factory architecture with local Catalan construction methods, creating a rare example of cross-border industrial design from the 1800s. This hybrid approach is a visible reminder of British influence on Barcelona's manufacturing past.
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