Green urbanism with custom solutions in sustainable concrete
The transformation project of Plaza de les Glòries (Glòries Square), in the heart of Barcelona, is one of the benchmarks of green urbanism in Europe. Led by the UTE Agence Ter & Ana Coello de Llobet, the ‘Canòpia Urbana’ plan promotes a public space model that prioritizes pedestrians, reduces vehicular traffic, and encourages biodiversity. Covering an area of over 20,000 m², Breinco played a key role, developing custom solutions in paving, urban furniture, and urbanization elements.
The main pavement is Llosa Vulcano®, a sustainable, highly durable slab made with recycled aggregate and recognized with the environmental quality certification from the Generalitat. For Glòries, a new light tone—Canòpia color—was created to reduce surface temperature in sun-exposed areas. Formats of 30×10×10 cm, 20×10×10 cm, and 10×10×8 cm were used.
Custom tactile pavements (Tactile Crossing and Tactile Warning) were also installed, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired users and integrating seamlessly with the urban design.
Using Wetcast® technology, Breinco manufactured special elements such as linear benches adapted to the tree-lined environment and high-strength steps with non-slip markings. This architectural concrete allows design freedom, texture, color, and excellent performance in exterior applications.
The intervention at Glòries exemplifies how materials designed with sustainability and technical innovation in mind can transform urban spaces to enhance collective well-being.
