Ca l’Aranyó is a former 19th-century cotton factory located in the 22@ technology district in Poblenou. Today, it houses university and creative spaces, yet it retains its industrial character: an exposed brick façade, generously sized windows and an iron structure inspired by English architecture. The contrast between past and present is evident in every corridor, where academic life coexists with the neighbourhood’s industrial heritage. This building blends history and modernity seamlessly into the urban landscape.
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Built around 1872, the factory was one of the first buildings in Barcelona to incorporate iron as a structural element – a pioneering step towards modern architecture.
Now home to departments of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, it’s a place where ideas and future projects are woven, in the very spaces where cotton was once spun.
Its inner courtyard, open during the day, is a serene space framed by brick walls, inviting a quiet pause amid the city’s bustle.
