The former Gustau Gili publishing house, now the headquarters of Manifesta 15
What was once the headquarters of the former Gustavo Gili publishing house has been converted into the offices for Manifesta 15 Barcelona, where preparations are underway for the 15th edition of the European Nomadic Biennale.
Located in Eixample, the iconic building is a major symbol of the rationalist architectural movement, a memorable era in Barcelona’s architectural history. The building was completed in 1961 and received the FAD Prize for Architecture the following year. Designed by the architects Joaquim Gil and Francesc Bassó, from Grup R, it is a benchmark of Barcelona’s rationalist architecture movement, which arose in opposition to Spain’s post-war monumentalism.
The building was created to house the publishing house’s production and storage facilities and to coordinate the distribution of its extensive catalogue of publications in the art and architecture sector.
Declared an Asset of National Interest, the building has been very well preserved over the last 60 years and has now become part of the city’s protected heritage, following its new acquisition by Barcelona City Council.
Manifesta 15 is working on a public programme taking place at the former headquarters of the Gustau Gili publishing house, starting in the autumn of 2023.