Al Barri is an identity design project composed of a series of open-access protest tools that serve as a vehicle for amplifying and highlighting the voices of residents and the issues at hand, inviting them to unite and take action. The identity is born from the neighbourhood itself, its streets and homes, and a shared sense of community protest. One of these tools is the typography Carrer. 

The Al Barri project uses visual design to reclaim the identity of the Barri Vell and strengthen the sense of belonging among its residents. Based on this idea, Carrer was created — an open-source typeface specifically designed for the Barri Vell, inspired by the stone plaques engraved with the names of its streets. With a total of one hundred and ninety-five glyphs, Carrer not only reflects the architectural essence of the neighbourhood but also echoes the look of wood type used in protest signs: bold and condensed, eye-catching and clear, to convey key messages that drive collective action. Adapted for Catalan, English, and Spanish, this typeface becomes a means of expression for local residents, aiming to raise awareness among tourists and the property sector.

The story of the Barri Vell is not told to the neighbourhood, but rather written by its inhabitants, through their everyday lives. “Volem viure als nostres barris” (We want to live in our neighbourhoods) —Pau, local resident—, is one of the phrases that shapes the verbal identity of this project. With over sixty testimonies, Al Barri brings back the voices silenced by gentrification — these voices form the very heart of the project.

You can download the beta version of Carrer

here.