L’illa Diagonal, the first retail centre constructed in Barcelona, Spain, was renovated to introduce advanced technology and improve the shopping experience.
The shopping centre renovation involved an investment of €32m ($37.6m) and was completed in September 2025.
Opened in 1993, L’illa Diagonal features a retail area of 35,000m² (376,736ft²) spread over three levels with more than 170 stores such as ZARA, Nike and Mango, drawing approximately 16 million tourists a year.
Location
L’illa Diagonal is situated at the centre of the Avinguda Diagonal, on the boundaries of the Les Corts and Sarria-Sant Gervasi districts.
L’illa Diagonal renovation details
Originally designed by Rafael Moneo, the L’illa Diagonal complex features an architectural design resembling a fallen tower, inspired by New York’s Rockefeller Center.
The key aspects of the L’illa Diagonal shopping centre renovation included the internal public zones, the external realm of the Sant Joan de Déu Gardens and the introduction of a new in-between element, the Umbracle.
Together, these upgrades were intended to increase the complex’s urban permeability and bring it into line with present-day requirements, while enhancing the overall user experience.
The Umbracle is designed as a transitional zone between L’illa and the Sant Joan de Déu gardens, replacing an area that had previously functioned as a barrier and rear service space. It comprises a light steel framework wrapped with timber slats and planting.
The structure provides solar protection to the southern curtain-wall facade, formerly shaded by traditional awnings, thereby lowering cooling loads for the building. It also reorganises the restaurant uses beneath new elevated walkways, creating a shaded environment with direct contact with greenery.
This space links the interior with the gardens and Avinguda Diagonal, while physically and visually connecting the shopping centre’s three levels.
Interior renovation details
The refurbishment of the shopping centre’s internal areas aimed to develop a seamless extension of the external public realm. High-quality elements such as the walls, comprising shopfronts and stone finishes, and the original floor were retained.
The most significant change was directed at the ceilings, which had been modified repeatedly over the years. These were reconceived as ‘skies’, giving the interiors a more open, outdoor-like feel.
Older suspended ceilings were removed and replaced with new ‘sky’ planes that incorporate lighting and respond to the distinct identity of each section, including Galeria, Plaça, Rebost and Passatge. This creates an internal landscape that strengthens the character of the areas, while also improving wayfinding and sightlines from nearby streets.
In Rebost and Passatge, the ‘sky’ takes the form of a sculptural timber ceiling, adding warmth and boosting comfort. By contrast, Galeria and Plaça are designed to feel brighter and more expansive through advanced solutions such as luminous ceilings and LED displays, enhancing spatial clarity and the overall visitor experience.
Alongside these changes, upgraded lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems improved the building’s energy efficiency. Additional rest areas were introduced and service facilities updated to support visitor comfort, while aligning with current standards for sustainability and energy efficiency.
Technology details
The new digital lighting concept introduced in the shopping centre’s internal areas features a dynamic ceiling installation. The 1,100m² digital animated ceiling showcases a seamless blend of architectural integration and lighting design.
The installation consists of more than 200,000 pixels strategically placed and intricately mapped to ensure coherent operation with the displayed content. The innovative surface, which merges lighting and low-resolution screen concepts, serves as a digital canvas with abstract light and colour movements, creating animated skies that appear alive.
The main entrance is installed with an advanced digital marquee to enhance the visitor experience through integrated technology. Spanning 210m², the marquee features more than 32,000 high-resolution RGBW p82 pixels. It uses energy-efficient technology and a smart control system.
The shopping centre was also installed with a high-performance and energy-efficient Wi-Fi 6E network.
Exterior renovation details
The upgrade of the Sant Joan de Déu gardens aimed to preserve the original network of paths by creating a 200m-long vegetal pergola connecting the interior spaces with the surrounding gardens. It offers shade and cooling, introduces a distinctive pedestrian route, and supports new outdoor dining terraces that connect naturally with the Sant Joan de Déu Gardens. It also enhances the planted areas and reinforces existing greenery to support greater biodiversity.
The scheme was designed to boost day-to-day social use by adding activities and facilities covering 8,00m2, organised into four clearly defined settings: a play area, an active zone, a planted seating area and a water-play area.
Additionally, a new amphitheatre provides a space for gatherings and events, creating a direct link between the gardens and the Rebost area of L’illa Diagonal.
Centred on the gardens’ established mature trees, the improvements include additional planting, warm and energy-efficient lighting, and a sustainable drainage system that allows all rainwater to soak back into the ground.
The modifications not only maintain the relevance of L’illa Diagonal but also elevate visitors’ experiences, promote engagement with green spaces, and strengthen the connection between the interior and exterior areas of the complex.
Contractors involved
The L’illa Diagonal shopping centre redevelopment project was designed by the architecture company Batlleiroig.
PGI Engineering, a consulting and engineering solutions company, was responsible for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, while Estudi m103, a structural consulting company, provided structural engineering services.
Construction was undertaken by construction companies Voracys, OCP – Obra Civil Profesional, Coynsa and Grup Mas.
Emiliana Design Studio, a furniture and lighting design company, was responsible for the furniture and signage design, along with Avanti, a wayfinding design consultancy, which was responsible for signage and wayfinding.
SBDA, an architectural and interior design company, provided renderings, while Expomon, a furniture and signage company, engineered and produced the wayfinding and visual identity system.
Artec Studio, a lighting design studio, created the design and lighting concept, while Trigelab, a creative studio, was responsible for the audiovisual production.
LED DREAM Group, an audiovisual engineering company, and its digital lighting division Lumalia Studio were responsible for the execution and engineering of the digital ceiling.
Lumalia Studio oversaw the manufacturing, assembly and installation of the digital ceiling, while ProtoPixel, a lighting technology company, handled the programming, and Difusiona, an architectural technical lighting design company, provided technical lighting solutions.
Digital signage company Iwall in Shop partnered with LED DREAM Group to supply, assemble and install LED screens across the retail centre.
Content management of the marquee lighting concept was handled by Channel4you, the creative content agency of the LED DREAM Group.
Air-Fi, a wireless communication company, installed the Wi-Fi 6E network at the mall in partnership with Cambium Networks, a wireless broadband and Wi-Fi solutions provider.
