Refugi Sonor: The urban oasis transforming Barcelona’s noise into music and socially engaged art

The Refugi Sonor (Sonic Refuge) project, driven by the CAMARAC collective as part of the prestigious Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 program, proposes an immersive experience that transforms city noise into music, creating a unique artistic intervention to help raise public awareness.

An ephemeral pavilion in the heart of the city

Opening on June 29 at 7:00 PM: register here.

From June 29 to July 3, the Poblenou Campus will host this ephemeral pavilion specifically designed to disconnect from daily acoustic saturation and reconnect with nature. This initiative receives key support from the Vallès School of Architecture (ETSAV), the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).

This space will operate as an immersive laboratory displaying various biodegradable acoustic insulation materials developed by ETSAV students. However, the highlight of the experience will be the interaction with sound: inside, visitors will be able to listen to five original musical compositions recorded in different natural landscapes across Catalonia. Thanks to a sophisticated sensor system developed by the Music Technology Group UPF and predictive artificial intelligence software created by InLab FIB-UPC, these compositions will react and transform in real time based on the street noise outside.

Through this proposal, architecture, technological research, and art intertwine to reclaim their role as tools for social and environmental transformation. It offers a creative response to noise pollution, one of the most invisible environmental issues of the current climate crisis. According to the European Environment Agency, this excess noise contributes to thousands of premature deaths every year and leads to health problems such as stress, cardiovascular conditions, and difficulties resting.

Parallel Program: Conversations and concerts with the emerging scene

Beyond the permanent installation, the pavilion will transform into a dynamic meeting point from June 30 to July 3, featuring an evening parallel program aimed at giving a voice to emerging talents in the contemporary sound art scene.

Every day, between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, Plaça Gutenberg (Poblenou Campus) will host an open interview with a different artist—who will have developed their music inside the pavilion—to explore their creative process. This will be followed by a live concert right next to the installation.

Here is the detailed schedule for the events:

• June 30 | Alexandra Bellini (todoloquepiensocuandointentonopensar): An interdisciplinary artist exploring the boundaries between music and sound art through installations, multichannel pieces, and alternative recording practices.

• July 1 | Martí Burgués Carreño: A versatile composer with a background in modern, classical, and contemporary music whose work spans from audiovisuals and video games to immersive experiences.

• July 2 | Nicolás López Ruiz: A sound designer and producer combining artistic sensitivity and AI technology, exploring the fusion between traditional rhythms and electronic music.

• July 3 | Ro Rapoport & Arnau Montserrat:

  • Ro Rapoport: Sound researcher, composer, and guitarist focusing on deep listening, landscapes as sound poetics, and sound art. She is also the creator of one of the pavilion’s sound pieces.

  • Arnau Montserrat: Interdisciplinary sound artist based between Barcelona and Berlin, exploring the intersections of sound, technology, and science through sonification and shared listening spaces.

Practical Information

• Pavilion dates: June 29 to July 3.

• Activities and concerts schedule: June 30 to July 3, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

• Location: Plaça Gutenberg, Poblenou Campus (UPF).

• Admission: All activities are open-access and completely free of charge.

A unique opportunity in Barcelona to reflect on the health of our cities through art, technology, and new sonic trends.