The creation of the Jordi Rubió i Balaguer agora dates from 1996. It was called so in homage to this professor, librarian and researcher (1887-1982), who contributed to the renovation of the university and culture in Catalonia.

It was the work of architects Jordi Garcés and Enric Sòria and, as for the Jaume I building, it also deserved the 1996 Ciutat de Barcelona prize for architecture and urban planning.

Located between the Jaume I and Roger de Llúria buildings, it constitutes one of the most representative areas of Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The underground level is formed of an ample vestibule, measuring 325 m2, which serves as an access distribution point to different areas, among which is an auditorium of some 596 m2 seating 350 and a 735 m2 exhibition hall. Outside, a patio of 3,160 m2, presided by a skylight and an imposing glass cube, joins the buildings.

The reflection room

Sala de reflexió
All told, the most peculiar part of the agora is without a doubt the Reflection Room, measuring 500 m3, with a ground surface area of 10 x 5 metres and a height of 10 metres, situated in an underground crypt illuminated by elevated large windows.

 

The design and the content of the area are the work of painter Antoni Tàpies. The Reflection Room brings together a series of the artist’s work, personally selected with the aim of contributing to create the atmosphere needed to coax its visitors into reflection and meditation. It contains the Diptych of the bell (1991, of 3 x 5 metres) and a sculpture entitled Serpent and plate. Tàpies also instigated the inclusion of twenty seats on one of the walls, the sgraffitos on the walls of the room and the design of the access door.

Below is the translation of a text dedicated by Antoni Tàpies to the Reflection Room, which states:


Un espai de meditació

Space for meditation

"Given the excessive turmoil, mental distraction and the innumerable cults to “false realities” to which we are subjected in today’s societies, I saw an excellent opportunity to contribute to creating an area and some images that help with meditation, concentration and, in short, a better understanding of our true being.

There exists a tradition of beliefs that practise and advise this possible alteration to the primary level of conscience to take it to the most authentic areas of the human being. Such techniques, adapted to today, may even be considered a therapy of great importance for our equilibrium. And, in fact, the main branch of art throughout history has not only always been linked to them but is often their principal element.

At a time, therefore, which is so dominated by the “cultures” of distraction and business, when even some museums resort to hectic and often alienated spectacles for the masses, I believe it to be most significant that the university world is taking into account the need for areas for silence and reflection with which art can exert its most noble and certainly more useful functions on our citizens."

Antoni Tàpies