Disseny Hub (DHub)

The Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub) is a cultural building in Plaça de les Glòries, on the edge of Poblenou. It was designed by MBM Arquitectes (Josep Martorell, Oriol Bohigas, David Mackay, Oriol Capdevila and Francesc Gual) and has been hosting activities and events since 2012. It is home to the Design Museum of Barcelona, which brings together the city's collections of decorative arts, ceramics, textiles and clothing, and graphic arts. The building has two parts. One is underground, taking advantage of the slope of the square, and the other is a distinctive angular volume that rises about 14.5 metres above street level and juts out over the plaza. A sunken canal lets southern light into the lower floors, and a foyer connects the street level of Carrer d'Àvila with the square above through stairs, escalators and lifts, so the ground floor works as a passage between the neighbourhood, the metro and the tram. Besides the museum, the building also houses the public library El Clot-Josep Benet and the offices of FAD (Foment de les Arts i del Disseny) and the Barcelona Centre de Disseny. This mix of design, culture and everyday public use is what gives the place its calm, creative atmosphere. The ground floor (0A) is a climate refuge with free wifi, mobile charging points, and benches to sit and rest. There is also a café-restaurant called DBar on the same floor. The building has received significant architectural recognition, including the FAD Architecture Prize and the Ciutat de Barcelona Architecture Prize. It is also a regular venue for the FAD Awards ceremony and exhibitions.