Juno House - The Barcelona Private Members Club by and for Women
Nothing gets us quite excited as an unexpectedly bold move to help empower people, and this is what Juno House, a new women's members club, has created in Barcelona. The house is the brainchild of Natalie Batlle, who, along with Lianna Knight Grieg and Eva Mila-Massanas, has created an inclusive environment for women that challenges the norms of the traditional private members club. The concept had existed for a while, emerging in various projects somehow, but came to fruition in 2020.
During the lockdown in 2020, there was a rise in hotels and other establishments offering co-working facilities to provide the required aspects of the office for those tired of working from home. Juno House takes it one step further; beyond the physical space itself, it has a strong philosophy centred on giving back to the community and contributing to something big. Mentorship is encouraged; there is a community chat for various conversations, talks and events, and special services for members only. It is about paying it forward and uplifting others. Aspiring members need to apply, and the in-house team reviews the applications to assess if they reflect what Juno House embodies.
Before the official opening, we met Founder and CEO Natalie Batlle, a woman highly enthused and motivated about providing a world for all types of women. From beginning to end, Juno House has fully considered its target audience in the design spaces, services, events, and unique partnerships. There are no pauses or signs of hesitation when Natalie talks about her audience; it is clear and resonates in every nook of the house. She explains, "Everything is intentional at Juno House. This is 100% about the Juno woman". While walking through the main building, Natalie perches on a small sofa in the entranceway before the restrooms and shows us that new mums have pockets to go and breastfeed their little ones. She explains, "When going through this project, I thought about what I needed as a working mother and what I truly wanted".
The result is a myriad of options without the logistics of having to go to several places - it is all under one roof. So far, the club is attracting the self-employed, creators and makers and those at corporate gigs wanting a different sense of community. The age group is broad, with members representing women across different stages of their lives. Juno House is for the multi-faceted woman, and Natalie encourages member-driven events and activities to get what you want and need from the membership fully.
“Everything is intentional at Juno House.
This is 100% about the Juno woman.”
Images above were taken whilst Juno House was under full construction.
The Room Studio has executed elegant, contemporary spaces that are practical yet stylish, bold but inviting, and simple yet intricate in parts. The former factory from the 19th century comprised a tower and a connecting warehouse. Both areas now exist at Juno House as the Farinera and the Nave, covering more than 1,400 square meters and paying homage to their yesteryears. Natalie refers to the La Farinera as the dollhouse, thanks to the several floors and different layers and services offered. The Nave is where women gather to co-work, network, have meetings and socialise. There is a discreet library in the corner, adjacent to a few meeting rooms available for hire. A podcast booth is also available for those making sounds on the airwaves and a mix of open desks and a few private small meeting rooms for those that need more quiet time or have one-on-one sessions with clients.
It is also where they have a cafe and restaurant, serving local organic and healthy cuisine. The space features an impressive staircase and is unapologetically curvaceous. You'll find incredible detailing, such as the curved grooves in the library, tiled floors and walls, and arches that neatly frame the various zones. Architect Merche Conca from the BCA studio and the interior designer Meritxell Ribé from The Room Studio have worked their magic to create a haven for female entrepreneurs. Members and guests have access to networking lunches, special events and more.
The Farinera is home to several specialised zones, including a fitness studio decked out in a New Yorker vibe and nested at the very top of the building. Those who need a "glow up" can make an appointment at the Glow Studio or even host private beauty parties and events. The second floor features the Little Juno area, dedicated to looking after little ones; this service for this space is evolving and open for private hire. You'll find bold and fun wallpaper on this floor, setting a playful tone before entering the kid's area. On Friday afternoons, they run children's activities at Little Juno from 17.00 to 19.30 to allow parents to enjoy the facilities of the house and children the chance to meet others. Visitors can sip on a cocktail or two and enjoy an after-work or meetup on the ground floor at the Club House.
In short, Juno House is an empowering female-founded private members club where ideas are born, supported and realised. A place where intention and values come together and another good excuse to head over to this part of Eixample.
Images © Mauricio Fuertes
