Contemporary architectural topics 2024-2025: MBArch contemporary project

Con empo a y a chi ec u al opics 2024-2025
MBA ch – Con empo a y pojec
Cou se 2024-2025
P o . Rubén Na a o-González
APRÈN
HERITAGE, MEMORY, RENEWAL
AND REUSE SUSTAINABILITY
TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALI-
TY FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY,
REVERSIBILITY COMMON SPA-
CES AND SOCIAL LIFE ECONOMY,
POLITICS AND ARCHITECTURE
ACCESSIBILITY
Con empo a y a chi ec u al opics
2024-2025
MBA ch – Con empo a y pojec
P o . Rubén Na a o-González
Co e image c edi : Daniel As o ga, Vale ia Ca e a, Ma ia Jacin a
Gonzalez, Aleksand a Kanuko a and Manqi Lao; 2024.
APRÈN
HERITAGE, MEMORY, RENEWAL AND REUSE SUSTAI-
NABILITY TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALITY FLEXIBILITY,
ADAPTABILITY, REVERSIBILITY COMMON SPACES AND
SOCIAL LIFE ECONOMY, POLITICS AND ARCHITECTURE
ACCESSIBILITY

6MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
Con empo a y A chi ec u al Issues 2024-2025
APRÈN
INDEX OF CONTENTS
Lis o a icles
Fo ewo d
Syllabus
Cou se schedule
Lis o pa icipan s
Lis o eams and assigned buildings
Keywo ds and issues slec ed by s uden s
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable hous-
ing.
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u -
ban in eg a ion.
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms.
La Ca bone ia: a s udy o he symbolic use o common ci cula ions.
Unde s anding o m h ough p esen and u u e unc ion. 105 apa men s o
he elde ly case s udy.
85 social housing in Co nellà de Llob ega .
/ 7
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/ 18
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/ 106
/ 146
/ 178
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Con empo a y A chi ec u al Issues 2024-2025 APRÈN
LIST OF ARTICLES
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing. By: CORRALES, Joseph,
EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in.
Keywo ds: Ci izen mo emen , coope a i e s uc u es, eminis /inclusi e a chi ec u e, collec i e spaces.
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion. By: MERZ,
Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia.
Keywo ds: His o ical he i age, social housing, e e sibili y, changing s ages, pe manence, sus ainabili y.
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms. By: ASTORGA, Daniel, CARRERA, Vale ia,
GONZALEZ, Ma ía Jacin a, KANUKOVA, Aleksand a, LAO, Manqi.
Keywo ds: Flexibili y, sus ainabili y, use-o ien ed ma e iali y, inclusi i y, adap i e euse.
La Ca bone ia: a s udy o he symbolic use o common ci cula ions. By: DAHADHA, Danya, JUWARA, Mus a a,
NABULSI, Mi al, PRYTOLUK, So ia and XU, Haozhe.
Keywo ds: Ci cula ion ou , h esholds, mo emen and ime in common ci cula ions, deisgning ci cula ion
a eas, inside ou , memo y o a place.
Unde s anding o m h ough p esen and u u e unc ion. 105 apa men s o he elde ly case s udy. By: DAI,
Jiayi, WANG, Sixian, LI, Xiao ong, BECERRA, Fe nanda.
Keywo ds: Ac i i y, Accessibili y, Flexibili y, Adap abili y.
85 social housing in Co nellà de Llob ega . By: DUARTE, Pa icio, MILESI, Pia, TEODORCYK, Michal and
UHTHOFF, Daniel.
Keywo ds: U ban ela ion, social in e ac ion, adap abili y, ma e iali y.
8MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
Con empo a y A chi ec u al Issues 2024-2025
APRÈN
FOREWORD
A e a i s expe imen al edi ion du ing all 2022, his documen publishes he esul s o he hi d edi ion o
he emodeled subjec Con empo a y A chi ec u al Issues, augh in he Con empo a y p ojec line o Ba ce-
lona Tech’s Mas e ’s Deg ee in Ad anced S udies in A chi ec u e-Ba celona (MBA ch).
While i is common o all a chi ec u e schools o demand om hei s uden s mas e ing d awing as an ap-
plied ool o a chi ec u al design, i is less common o ain hem in w i ing, language and gene ic epis emo-
logical and esea ch skills. Ne e heless, his cou se encou ages s uden s o con on a chi ec u al design as
a s udy ma e om he poin o iew o a hinke –a heo is , i you p e e –, no a p ac i ione .
In doing so, i aims o gi e i s s uden s ools and s a egies o b oaden hei poin s o iew and c i ique capa-
bili ies so ha hey can ake ad an age om when dealing wi h hei own designs as a chi ec s.
To achie e his, i akes ad an age o i s coope a ion ag eemen wi h he Mies an de Rohe Founda ion,
se led h oughou pas yea s, and p oposes he s uden s o di e in o i s da abase looking o con empo a y
a chi ec u al hemes and issues o hink abou . A anged in eams, s uden s a e hus aced wi h he chance
o a deep s udy o a single, pa icula building o hei choice.
Du ing he i s weeks o ga he ing o in o ma ion, ques ions, p oblems and issues o deba e eme ge om
he hough ul glance on he building. The building, which in he i s pa o he cou se seems o be he
main objec o s udy, hen slowly s a s o become a simple excuse o alk abou wide , common, sp eading
a chi ec u al issues, nuclea o con empo a y challenges. Bu s ill, i emains an impo an excuse: as e e y
idea, e e y concep , e e y deba e, s ill emains ancho ed o he building om which i eme ges –al hough
i is mos likely o o e come i .
This ension is ha dly o be sol ed by jus wo king on a single building wi hou con ex . Tha ’s whe e he
need o ex e nal sou ces, cul u al e e ences, s udy cases o compa ison, e c. comes in, and also he need
o mas e esea ch ools and echniques o access he adequa e sou ces wi h he p ope quali y.
Wha can be he poin o young a chi ec s in doing so? Well, ake you’ e an a chi ec . Suppose you’ e le
you i s yea s o p o essional p ac ice behind. Mos p obably by now, you’ll be eaching he ime in which
you’ e come o mas e wi h easonable abili y he con en ional me hods and ools o con empo a y a chi-
ec u e when acing he e e mo e s anda dized unc ional p og ams o ou inc easingly globalised socie ies.
You may ind you sel epea ing he same solu ions, he same epe o y o elemen s, sys ems and ypes
which o m con empo a y a chi ec u al cul u e one and o e again and s a o wonde : is ha all o a chi ec-
u e? Tha ’s whe e ha i ch o esea ch, o inno a ions and new exci ing disco e ies may also s a aking
g owing impo ance in you head.
This leads o he ques ion o esea ch in a chi ec u e. How does one, indeed, conduc esea ch in such a ield,
as a p ac icing a chi ec and wi hou becoming a schola ? A cu en ly sp eading and oo easy answe s a es
ha jus by designing, by p o essional p ac icing. Well, I’m con inced ha while his may be pa ially ue,
i is nei he comple ely. While many a chi ec s like o hink hey hink by d awing –and his may be ue in
he limi s o a manne is -like concep ion o p o essional p ac ice–, he e’s s ill an e iden di e ence be ween
doing and hinking. Thinking on an issue needs i s own me hods, s a egies, sou ces and e-sou ces, i no
di e en mechanisms o epis emological con ol han he ba e es ing o he limi s and possibili ies o con-
en ional p ac ice.
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Con empo a y A chi ec u al Issues 2024-2025 APRÈN
Tha is why he main exe cise o his subjec p oposes i s s uden s o w i e an academic a icle, on he issues
deba ed by each eam, and using he selec ed building as a s udy case: Wha would happen i you would
ga he young a chi ec s om all o e he wo ld, wi h di e en backg ounds, ins uc ion, aining expe i-
ences, cul u al iews and a chi ec u al in e es s, and would ell hem o s udy a speci ic building and selec
and deba e on linked a chi ec u al p oblems and hen y o ga he hei indings in a s uc u ed collec i ely
w i en ex ?
Wha wo ies, wha deba es and discussions, wha keywo ds would eme ge? Wha would call hei a en-
ion? Wha would hey ha e o say abou ?
Wha ollows is a possible answe o all hese ques ions, in he o m o suix collec i ely w i en a icles by
he s uden s o he 2024/25 edi ion o he cou se who, in my opinion, ha e shown lucidi y, complex glances
and hinking, an abili y o s uc u e hei wo ies in w i en o m, o econcile hei di e en backg ounds,
knowledge and poin s o iew in open sha ed deba es and he abili y o build a cohe en c i ique na a i e
abo e all; an expe ience which I pe sonally ha e ully enjoyed as a eache and hope will ha e he chance o
be pa o many mo e imes in he u u e.
Rubén Na a o González
Ba celona, Janua y 2025
16 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
CORRALES, Joseph, EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in
APRÈN
F om C isis o Communi y: La Bo da's Vision o
Collec i e and A o dable Housing
-ABSTRACT-
La Bo da, a coope a i e housing p ojec loca ed in La Bo de a neighbo hood in Ba celona,
se es as a no able example in he ongoing s uggle o a o dable, sus ainable, and inclusi e
housing in Spain and Eu ope. De eloped ou o he b oade socio-poli ical con ex o Spain’s
inancial c isis 2008 and he housing p oblems ha ollowed, La Bo da p esen s an
al e na i e o he specula i e eal es a e ma ke by emphasizing communi y owne ship,
coope a i e design, social equi y, and en i onmen al sus ainabili y. The p ojec embodies a
o m o collec i e li ing, whe e esiden s sha e esponsibili y o he building’s main enance,
go e nance, and long- e m iabili y. This essay explo es La Bo da’s p io ci izen mo emen
ha empowe ed he Can Ba lló communi y, unde s anding he coope a i e s uc u e, he ole
o i s collec i e spaces in os e ing s ong social connec ions and p omo ing a mo e equi able
and inclusi e communi y and lacol’s a chi ec u al design. By explo ing i s achie emen s and
challenges aced by La Bo da, he essay unde sco es he po en ial o coope a i e housing o
o e iable solu ions o he housing c isis while ad oca ing o communi y-d i en u ban
de elopmen .
Keywo ds: CITIZEN MOVEMENT, COOPERATIVE STRUCTURES, FEMINIST /
INCLUSIVE ARCHITECTURE, COLLECTIVE SPACES
Joseph Co ales, Noah Ehle s, Saman ha Eh man, Cal in Schwabe

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F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
F om C isis o Communi y: La Bo da's Vision o
Collec i e and A o dable Housing
-ABSTRACT-
La Bo da, a coope a i e housing p ojec loca ed in La Bo de a neighbo hood in Ba celona,
se es as a no able example in he ongoing s uggle o a o dable, sus ainable, and inclusi e
housing in Spain and Eu ope. De eloped ou o he b oade socio-poli ical con ex o Spain’s
inancial c isis 2008 and he housing p oblems ha ollowed, La Bo da p esen s an
al e na i e o he specula i e eal es a e ma ke by emphasizing communi y owne ship,
coope a i e design, social equi y, and en i onmen al sus ainabili y. The p ojec embodies a
o m o collec i e li ing, whe e esiden s sha e esponsibili y o he building’s main enance,
go e nance, and long- e m iabili y. This essay explo es La Bo da’s p io ci izen mo emen
ha empowe ed he Can Ba lló communi y, unde s anding he coope a i e s uc u e, he ole
o i s collec i e spaces in os e ing s ong social connec ions and p omo ing a mo e equi able
and inclusi e communi y and lacol’s a chi ec u al design. By explo ing i s achie emen s and
challenges aced by La Bo da, he essay unde sco es he po en ial o coope a i e housing o
o e iable solu ions o he housing c isis while ad oca ing o communi y-d i en u ban
de elopmen .
Keywo ds: CITIZEN MOVEMENT, COOPERATIVE STRUCTURES, FEMINIST /
INCLUSIVE ARCHITECTURE, COLLECTIVE SPACES
Joseph Co ales, Noah Ehle s, Saman ha Eh man, Cal in Schwabe
I. INTRODUCTION
II. BODY
A.The Can Ba lló Ci izen Mo emen : Reclaiming U ban Space o
Communi y Empowe men
1. In oduc ion
2. Suppo ing Ideas
3. Summa izing/Concluding/T ansi ion sen ence
B. COOPERATIVE STRUCTURES
1. The need o housing
2. Roo s o he housing c isis
3. Land o he people
4. Founda ion o a coope a i e
5. Financing
6. Pe spec i e in he housing ma ke
C. INCLUSIVE ARCHITECTURE
1. In e na ional examples o Coope a i e Housing
2. Design spaces conduci e o equali y
3. His o ical Gende Roles in housing
4. Vulne able Popula ion
D. COLLECTIVE SPACES
1. Social connec i i y and in e ac ion
2. Flexibili y and adap abili y
3. En i onmen al sus ainabili y
3. Building collec i e ca e
III. CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
LIST OF FIGURES
1
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CORRALES, Joseph, EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in
APRÈN
INTRODUCTION
Loca ed in he dis ic o San s, jus o he Wes o
Mon juïc, one would walk along he s ee s o La
Bo de a, a now mos ly esiden ial neighbo hood on
he o me indus ial si e o Can Ba lló. S olling
down Ca e de la Cons i ució, one o he ew main
oads, cha ac e ized by h ee o six s o y all
esiden ial buildings in a a ie y o a chi ec u al
s yles o he las cen u y, a s uc u e on he le side
would suddenly s ick ou . No only he missing
balconies compa ed o i s many neighbo s, bu he
shimme ing su aces o he me al and
semi- anspa en acade e lec ing he blue o he
sky, di ided by wo ows o ho izon al window
openings, sepa a e i om he di ec su ounding
and le i seem like an open space nes led in
be ween wo o he buildings. Ge ing close and in
on , a b igh g een s o e on con as s he
gleaming uppe pa and ca ches he eye o he
isi o . The con inui y o small businesses loca ed
along he sidewalks o he s ee is only in e up ed
by a sudden oid in he lowe le pa , allowing he
isi o o en e he s uc u e om he sidewalk,
encou aging one o go u he and come ou on he
o he side o o isi he small s o e acing he
s ee .
The pe cep ion o La Bo da as desc ibed abo e makes i s cha ac e is ic appea ance s and ou
in he u ban en i onmen and gi es a hin o i s uncon en ional concep ion and design. The
2022 winne in he Eme ging A chi ec u e ca ego y o he EUmiesawa d was ecognized o
i s socially, ecologically, and economically sus ainable app oach o housing de elopmen .
Designed by he Ba celona-based a chi ec u al coope a i e Lacol and comple ed in 2016, i
unc ions as an al e na i e housing p ojec wi hin he ci y's con ex and plays a signi ican
ole in he con empo a y housing deba e in Spain and beyond. I is ecognized as a success ul
example o i s unique app oach o os e ing a way o li e cen e ed on communi y, placing he
alue o housing and people abo e inancial o indi idual in e es s.
This a icle examines La Bo da’s o igins in he ci izen mo emen ha empowe ed he Can
Ba lló communi y, del ing in o i s coope a i e s uc u e, he signi icance o collec i e spaces
in building social connec ions, and Lacol’s a chi ec u al app oach. By highligh ing La
Bo da’s successes and challenges, he a ic emphasizes on he po en ial o coope a i e
housing as a solu ion o he housing c isis and a model o communi y-d i en u ban
de elopmen .
2
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F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
INTRODUCTION
Loca ed in he dis ic o San s, jus o he Wes o
Mon juïc, one would walk along he s ee s o La
Bo de a, a now mos ly esiden ial neighbo hood on
he o me indus ial si e o Can Ba lló. S olling
down Ca e de la Cons i ució, one o he ew main
oads, cha ac e ized by h ee o six s o y all
esiden ial buildings in a a ie y o a chi ec u al
s yles o he las cen u y, a s uc u e on he le side
would suddenly s ick ou . No only he missing
balconies compa ed o i s many neighbo s, bu he
shimme ing su aces o he me al and
semi- anspa en acade e lec ing he blue o he
sky, di ided by wo ows o ho izon al window
openings, sepa a e i om he di ec su ounding
and le i seem like an open space nes led in
be ween wo o he buildings. Ge ing close and in
on , a b igh g een s o e on con as s he
gleaming uppe pa and ca ches he eye o he
isi o . The con inui y o small businesses loca ed
along he sidewalks o he s ee is only in e up ed
by a sudden oid in he lowe le pa , allowing he
isi o o en e he s uc u e om he sidewalk,
encou aging one o go u he and come ou on he
o he side o o isi he small s o e acing he
s ee .
The pe cep ion o La Bo da as desc ibed abo e makes i s cha ac e is ic appea ance s and ou
in he u ban en i onmen and gi es a hin o i s uncon en ional concep ion and design. The
2022 winne in he Eme ging A chi ec u e ca ego y o he EUmiesawa d was ecognized o
i s socially, ecologically, and economically sus ainable app oach o housing de elopmen .
Designed by he Ba celona-based a chi ec u al coope a i e Lacol and comple ed in 2016, i
unc ions as an al e na i e housing p ojec wi hin he ci y's con ex and plays a signi ican
ole in he con empo a y housing deba e in Spain and beyond. I is ecognized as a success ul
example o i s unique app oach o os e ing a way o li e cen e ed on communi y, placing he
alue o housing and people abo e inancial o indi idual in e es s.
This a icle examines La Bo da’s o igins in he ci izen mo emen ha empowe ed he Can
Ba lló communi y, del ing in o i s coope a i e s uc u e, he signi icance o collec i e spaces
in building social connec ions, and Lacol’s a chi ec u al app oach. By highligh ing La
Bo da’s successes and challenges, he a ic emphasizes on he po en ial o coope a i e
housing as a solu ion o he housing c isis and a model o communi y-d i en u ban
de elopmen .
2
The Can Ba lló Ci izen Mo emen : Reclaiming U ban Space o
Communi y Empowe men
In oduc ion
Can Ba lló, loca ed in Ba celona’s La Bo de a neighbo hood, s ands as a es amen o he
powe o g ass oo s ac i ism in eclaiming neglec ed u ban spaces. O iginally a h i ing
indus ial hub, Can Ba lló became a symbol o u ban decay be o e e ol ing in o a
communi y-d i en p ojec . The ans o ma ion o Can Ba lló is deeply oo ed in he
socio-economic s uggles o i s wo king-class communi y, he ailu es o neolibe al u ban
planning, and he de e mina ion o local esiden s o c ea e a sel -managed public space (Can
Ba lló Pla o m, 2011, pp. 101-105; Blanco and Nel·lo, 2018, pp. 212-213; Bianchi, 2018, pp.
180-182).
The mo emen was inspi ed by decades o us a ion o e un ul illed p omises o
ede elopmen and he b oade impac o he 2007-2008 inancial c isis. Residen s o La
Bo de a, long accus omed o sys emic neglec , sough o eclaim hei neighbo hood’s
iden i y and esis he enc oachmen o neolibe al u ban policies ha p io i ized p i a e
in e es s. D awing on Ba celona’s ich his o y o g ass oo s ac i ism, including he legacy o
he 15M mo emen (was a se ies o p o es s, demons a ions, and occupa ions agains
aus e i y policies in Spain), he Can Ba lló ci izen ini ia i e uni ed di e se s akeholde s
a ound a sha ed goal: ans o ming he de elic si e in o a ib an communi y esou ce
(Blanco and Nel·lo, 2018, pp. 210-212; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 184-186). This a icle will begin
by explo ing he his o ical o igins o Can Ba lló, he socio-poli ical con ex o i s eclama ion,
he mechanisms o o ganiza ion employed by i s ci izen mo emen , and he ans o ma i e
impac on bo h he si e and he communi y.
Figu e A1: View o Can Ba lló, (LACOL).
His o ical O igins and Indus ial Legacy
Can Ba lló was ounded in he la e 19 h cen u y du ing Ba celona’s indus ial boom. I
unc ioned as a ex ile ac o y owned by he Ba lló amily, se ing as a signi ican sou ce o
employmen o he wo king-class popula ion in La Bo de a. Du ing i s ope a ional yea s, he
si e a ac ed low-income wo ke s, many o whom mig a ed om u al Ca alonia and o he
pa s o Spain in sea ch o economic oppo uni ies. These wo ke s li ed modes ly, o en in
c owded housing, and elied on he solida i y o hei neighbo s o na iga e he economic and
3
20 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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APRÈN
social challenges o indus ial li e. By he mid-20 h cen u y, howe e , he decline o
Ba celona’s indus ial sec o le Can Ba lló abandoned, ans o ming i in o a de elic si e
and a gla ing example o u ban neglec (Can Ba lló Pla o m, 2011, pp. 101-102; Bianchi,
2018, pp. 170-171).
Figu e A2: Ba lló Family Po ai , (LA BARCELONA).
Figu e A3: Ba lló Fac o y, (LA BARCELONA).
The Socio-Poli ical Con ex o Reclama ion
The decline o Can Ba lló coincided wi h b oade neolibe al u ban policies ha p io i ized
public-p i a e pa ne ships o e communi y needs. Rede elopmen plans o he si e we e
i s in oduced in 1976 bu emained s alled o decades, wi h public acili ies, g een spaces,
and oads p omised ye un ealized. The 2007-2008 inancial c isis exace ba ed his neglec ,
hal ing ede elopmen en i ely and ueling us a ion among local esiden s. By his ime, he
si e’s condi ion symbolized sys emic ailu es in add essing he needs o Ba celona’s
4
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F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
social challenges o indus ial li e. By he mid-20 h cen u y, howe e , he decline o
Ba celona’s indus ial sec o le Can Ba lló abandoned, ans o ming i in o a de elic si e
and a gla ing example o u ban neglec (Can Ba lló Pla o m, 2011, pp. 101-102; Bianchi,
2018, pp. 170-171).
Figu e A2: Ba lló Family Po ai , (LA BARCELONA).
Figu e A3: Ba lló Fac o y, (LA BARCELONA).
The Socio-Poli ical Con ex o Reclama ion
The decline o Can Ba lló coincided wi h b oade neolibe al u ban policies ha p io i ized
public-p i a e pa ne ships o e communi y needs. Rede elopmen plans o he si e we e
i s in oduced in 1976 bu emained s alled o decades, wi h public acili ies, g een spaces,
and oads p omised ye un ealized. The 2007-2008 inancial c isis exace ba ed his neglec ,
hal ing ede elopmen en i ely and ueling us a ion among local esiden s. By his ime, he
si e’s condi ion symbolized sys emic ailu es in add essing he needs o Ba celona’s
4
wo king-class neighbo hoods (Can Ba lló Pla o m, 2011, pp. 104-105; Bianchi, 2018, pp.
174-176).
This us a ion was ampli ied by inspi a ion d awn om he an i-aus e i y 15M mo emen ,
which highligh ed he powe o collec i e ac ion and g ass oo s mobiliza ion. Building on he
momen um o 15M, he esiden s o La Bo de a ecognized he po en ial o Can Ba lló as a
space o coun e ac he e ec s o neolibe al u ban planning. The neighbo hood’s his o y o
solida i y and esis ance— oo ed in Ba celona’s ana chis adi ions and labo
mo emen s—p o ided a s ong ounda ion o he ac i ism ha ollowed (Blanco and Nel·lo,
2018, pp. 210-212; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 177-179).
In esponse, a coali ion o ac i is s and local o ganiza ions o med he Can Ba lló Pla o m
(“Can Ba lló es po el ba i”) in 2010. Thei e o s we e oo ed in a sha ed desi e o eclaim
he si e o public use and c ea e spaces ha e lec ed he communi y’s needs a he han
co po a e in e es s. The Pla o m’s campaign, known as "Tic-Tac," issued an ul ima um o he
ci y council: ini ia e ede elopmen o ace an occupa ion o he si e (Can Ba lló Pla o m,
2011, pp. 106-108; Bianchi, 2018, p. 190).
Figu e A4: “Tic-Tac” in Can Ba lló, (LACOL).
The Ci izen Mo emen : O ganiza ion and Ac ion
The occupa ion o Can Ba lló on June 11, 2011, ma ked a u ning poin in i s his o y. The
Pla o m’s g ass oo s app oach emphasized pa icipa o y decision-making, inclusi i y, and
solida i y. Regula assemblies allowed membe s o discuss and plan ini ia i es, os e ing a
cul u e o collec i e ac ion and sha ed esponsibili y. This bo om-up app oach ensu ed ha
he communi y’s oice emained cen al o he ans o ma ion o he si e (Blanco and Nel·lo,
5

22 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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2018, pp. 212-214; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 193-194). The mo emen also d ew inspi a ion om
ea lie u ban s uggles in Ba celona, such as he igh o p ese e public spaces like Plaça de
Ca alunya du ing 15M.
Figu e A5: T iumphal en y and celeb a ions in Can Ba lló on June 12 h 2011, (Can Ba lló).
Ac i is s adap ed he pa icipa o y go e nance models championed by hese mo emen s,
using hem o o ganize p ojec s ha add essed immedia e communi y needs. Can Ba lló
quickly e ol ed in o a sel -managed public space. The communi y es ablished a cul u al
cen e (Bloc 11), u ban ga dens, wo kshops, and coope a i es. These p ojec s embodied
p inciples o solida i y and a commi men o social e u n, add essing he longs anding
absence o public ameni ies in he a ea. O e ime, he ini ia i e expanded o include
coope a i e housing (e.g., La Bo da), a social economy incuba o (Coopolis), and a
coope a i e school. These de elopmen s highligh ed he communi y’s abili y o no only
eclaim bu also sus ain and inno a e wi hin he eclaimed space (Can Ba lló Pla o m, 2011,
pp. 109-112; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 195-198).
6
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Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
2018, pp. 212-214; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 193-194). The mo emen also d ew inspi a ion om
ea lie u ban s uggles in Ba celona, such as he igh o p ese e public spaces like Plaça de
Ca alunya du ing 15M.
Figu e A5: T iumphal en y and celeb a ions in Can Ba lló on June 12 h 2011, (Can Ba lló).
Ac i is s adap ed he pa icipa o y go e nance models championed by hese mo emen s,
using hem o o ganize p ojec s ha add essed immedia e communi y needs. Can Ba lló
quickly e ol ed in o a sel -managed public space. The communi y es ablished a cul u al
cen e (Bloc 11), u ban ga dens, wo kshops, and coope a i es. These p ojec s embodied
p inciples o solida i y and a commi men o social e u n, add essing he longs anding
absence o public ameni ies in he a ea. O e ime, he ini ia i e expanded o include
coope a i e housing (e.g., La Bo da), a social economy incuba o (Coopolis), and a
coope a i e school. These de elopmen s highligh ed he communi y’s abili y o no only
eclaim bu also sus ain and inno a e wi hin he eclaimed space (Can Ba lló Pla o m, 2011,
pp. 109-112; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 195-198).
6
Figu e A6: La Col Res o ing Can Ba lló, (Quade ns).
T ans o ma i e Impac
The Can Ba lló mo emen signi ican ly eshaped bo h he si e and i s su ounding
communi y. Physically, he once-abandoned indus ial complex was e i alized in o a h i ing
hub o cul u al, social, and economic ac i i y. The u ban ga dens p o ided g een spaces in a
densely popula ed a ea, while wo kshops and coope a i e ini ia i es c ea ed oppo uni ies o
skills de elopmen and economic empowe men . Socially, he mo emen gal anized he local
popula ion, os e ing a sense o p ide and owne ship. The pa icipa o y model o go e nance
s eng hened ne wo ks o solida i y and inspi ed simila ini ia i es ac oss Ba celona. Unde
he le -wing Ba celona en Comú go e nmen , elec ed in 2015, Can Ba lló ecei ed
ins i u ional ecogni ion and suppo , u he bols e ing i s sus ainabili y while main aining i s
au onomy (Blanco and Nel·lo, 2018, pp. 215-217; Bianchi, 2018, pp. 199-200).
7
24 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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Figu e A7: Loca ion o Can Ba lló U ban Commons, (Bianchi, I., 2018).
Conclusion
The Can Ba lló ci izen mo emen demons a es he ans o ma i e po en ial o g ass oo s
ac i ism in eclaiming u ban spaces. F om i s o igins as an indus ial hub o i s ebi h as a
sel -managed communi y p ojec , Can Ba lló’s s o y e lec s b oade s uggles o u ban
commons in he ace o neolibe al u ban policies. By p io i izing solida i y, pa icipa o y
go e nance, and communi y-d i en inno a ion, he mo emen has no only e i alized a
neglec ed si e bu also eshaped he social ab ic o La Bo de a. Can Ba lló se es as a model
o eclaiming u ban spaces and exempli ies he endu ing powe o collec i e ac ion in
shaping ci ies o he people (Bianchi, 2018, pp. 201-203).
8
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F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Figu e A7: Loca ion o Can Ba lló U ban Commons, (Bianchi, I., 2018).
Conclusion
The Can Ba lló ci izen mo emen demons a es he ans o ma i e po en ial o g ass oo s
ac i ism in eclaiming u ban spaces. F om i s o igins as an indus ial hub o i s ebi h as a
sel -managed communi y p ojec , Can Ba lló’s s o y e lec s b oade s uggles o u ban
commons in he ace o neolibe al u ban policies. By p io i izing solida i y, pa icipa o y
go e nance, and communi y-d i en inno a ion, he mo emen has no only e i alized a
neglec ed si e bu also eshaped he social ab ic o La Bo de a. Can Ba lló se es as a model
o eclaiming u ban spaces and exempli ies he endu ing powe o collec i e ac ion in
shaping ci ies o he people (Bianchi, 2018, pp. 201-203).
8
Figu e A8: Diag am o Can Ba lló’s p ojec s and sphe es o ac ion, (Can Ba lló).
The ci izen mo emen a Can Ba lló and he subsequen c ea ion o La Bo da ep esen a
powe ul eimagining o u ban spaces. By emphasizing communi y owne ship, sus ainabili y,
and inclusion, hese ini ia i es challenge con en ional u ban de elopmen pa adigms and
unde sco e he p inciple ha ci ies belong o hei esiden s. The socio-economic condi ions
in Ba celona, including he housing c isis, u ban neglec , and g ass oo s solida i y, played a
c i ical ole in os e ing hese ans o ma i e p ojec s. As global ci ies ace inc easing
p essu es om gen i ica ion and p i a iza ion, he lessons om Can Ba lló emain a i al
bluep in o equi able u ban u u es.
9
32 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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His o ically, home li e has been gende ed, wi h women o en assigned o oles such as
p o iding ca e in he o m o cooking, cleaning, o ganizing, e c. The di ision o labo in he
household con inues o shape he way housing is designed and also inhabi ed. “The home has
been, and con inues o be, a space his o ically associa ed wi h women and he eminine. The
di ision o domes ic labo by gende con inues o s uc u e ou socie ies. Al hough in ecen
yea s women ha e made in oads in o he public space, doing jobs ha we e un hinkable yea s
ago, housewo k is s ill hei esponsibili y” (LACOL, a al. 2020, p.75).This e lec s in
adi ional housing designs, which o en assume ha women will bea he b un o household
cho es and ca egi ing esponsibili ies. Many con en ional housing models, e en oday,
con inue o pe pe ua e hese gende ed spaces, wi h ki chens, laund ies and se ice a eas
designed o se e he needs o a single ca e ake , usually a woman. The housing design
usually ep oduces hese pa e ns posi ioning hese spaces in a second place o impo ance,
no pe mi ing he access and possibili y o be eached o all membe s o he amily: As
explained by LACOL, e al. 2020, p.75:
“The cu en concep o housing was designed o a model amily, c ea ed acco ding
o he idealized image o he bou geois amily ha elega es women o he in e io ,
con using in imacy, in e io and amily. The majo i y o housing p ojec s epea his
scheme unc i ically, ep oducing pa e ns in a space ha is ne e neu al. On he
o he hand, he a ionaliza ion o spaces, ypical o adi ional housing, p omo es ha
ca e ela ed o ood, hygiene o heal h be ca ied ou by a single pe son, o en
in isibly.” ( ansla ed om LACOL, e al. 2020, p.75)
Coope a i e housing, in con as , o e s a po en ial shi in his way o hinking and li ing.
Many coope a i e housing p ojec s ha e aken a s ep owa ds "socializing" his “ adi ionally
in isible and eminized labo ”, such as ca egi ing, cooking, and cleaning. La Bo da is a
pe ec example, in eg a ing and b inging hese unc ions in o he communal li e o he
p ojec , as a coope a i e wo king oge he wi h a chi ec s o design spaces ha p omo e a
sha ed esponsibili y o ca e in hese ways. The a chi ec u e on i s own helps o b eak he
quie adi ion o gende oles ha ha e placed women in he p i a e sphe e, acili a ing a
mo e equi able dis ibu ion o domes ic labo ac oss all gende s in a communi y and he
socie y.
“La Bo da de ines i sel as a eminis p ojec , pu ing emphasis on ca e asks and
designing i s homes acco ding o c i e ia o non-hie a chical dis ibu ion o spaces.
Food is also an issue widely add essed by communi ies. Ea ing is a basic need o
indi iduals and socie ies. Fo his eason, ac i i ies ela ed o he supply, p oduc ion,
dis ibu ion and consump ion o ood a e so ele an . I s cen al na u e makes i one
o he mos e sa ile and exp essi e human ac i i ies: i gene a es con lic s, allows
ecip oci y and exchange, is basic in he es ablishmen and main enance o
sociabili y, mani es s ways o unde s anding he wo ld and inco po a es a g ea
powe o symbolic e oca ion. I is no su p ising ha i has been a cen al issue o
housing coope a i es, which ha e add essed i wi h di e se esul s” (LACOL, e al.
2020, p.75).
16

33
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
His o ically, home li e has been gende ed, wi h women o en assigned o oles such as
p o iding ca e in he o m o cooking, cleaning, o ganizing, e c. The di ision o labo in he
household con inues o shape he way housing is designed and also inhabi ed. “The home has
been, and con inues o be, a space his o ically associa ed wi h women and he eminine. The
di ision o domes ic labo by gende con inues o s uc u e ou socie ies. Al hough in ecen
yea s women ha e made in oads in o he public space, doing jobs ha we e un hinkable yea s
ago, housewo k is s ill hei esponsibili y” (LACOL, a al. 2020, p.75).This e lec s in
adi ional housing designs, which o en assume ha women will bea he b un o household
cho es and ca egi ing esponsibili ies. Many con en ional housing models, e en oday,
con inue o pe pe ua e hese gende ed spaces, wi h ki chens, laund ies and se ice a eas
designed o se e he needs o a single ca e ake , usually a woman. The housing design
usually ep oduces hese pa e ns posi ioning hese spaces in a second place o impo ance,
no pe mi ing he access and possibili y o be eached o all membe s o he amily: As
explained by LACOL, e al. 2020, p.75:
“The cu en concep o housing was designed o a model amily, c ea ed acco ding
o he idealized image o he bou geois amily ha elega es women o he in e io ,
con using in imacy, in e io and amily. The majo i y o housing p ojec s epea his
scheme unc i ically, ep oducing pa e ns in a space ha is ne e neu al. On he
o he hand, he a ionaliza ion o spaces, ypical o adi ional housing, p omo es ha
ca e ela ed o ood, hygiene o heal h be ca ied ou by a single pe son, o en
in isibly.” ( ansla ed om LACOL, e al. 2020, p.75)
Coope a i e housing, in con as , o e s a po en ial shi in his way o hinking and li ing.
Many coope a i e housing p ojec s ha e aken a s ep owa ds "socializing" his “ adi ionally
in isible and eminized labo ”, such as ca egi ing, cooking, and cleaning. La Bo da is a
pe ec example, in eg a ing and b inging hese unc ions in o he communal li e o he
p ojec , as a coope a i e wo king oge he wi h a chi ec s o design spaces ha p omo e a
sha ed esponsibili y o ca e in hese ways. The a chi ec u e on i s own helps o b eak he
quie adi ion o gende oles ha ha e placed women in he p i a e sphe e, acili a ing a
mo e equi able dis ibu ion o domes ic labo ac oss all gende s in a communi y and he
socie y.
“La Bo da de ines i sel as a eminis p ojec , pu ing emphasis on ca e asks and
designing i s homes acco ding o c i e ia o non-hie a chical dis ibu ion o spaces.
Food is also an issue widely add essed by communi ies. Ea ing is a basic need o
indi iduals and socie ies. Fo his eason, ac i i ies ela ed o he supply, p oduc ion,
dis ibu ion and consump ion o ood a e so ele an . I s cen al na u e makes i one
o he mos e sa ile and exp essi e human ac i i ies: i gene a es con lic s, allows
ecip oci y and exchange, is basic in he es ablishmen and main enance o
sociabili y, mani es s ways o unde s anding he wo ld and inco po a es a g ea
powe o symbolic e oca ion. I is no su p ising ha i has been a cen al issue o
housing coope a i es, which ha e add essed i wi h di e se esul s” (LACOL, e al.
2020, p.75).
16
Vulne able popula ion
Mo eo e , some coope a i es, like La Mo ada in Ba celona (2018), speci ically design hei
spaces o ca e o he needs o lesbians, women, and ansgende indi iduals, he eby c ea ing
sa e spaces whe e hey can li e wi hou ea o disc imina ion. These in en ional inclusions
no only empowe ma ginalized communi ies bu challenge gende no ms also by p o iding a
pla o m o hem o oice hei conce ns and needs wi hin he coope a i e s uc u e.
“Ano he p ojec wo h men ioning is La Mo ada. This is a p ojec gene a ed by a
g oup o lesbians, anssexuals and women om he LGBTQ+ communi y. The e o e,
apa om de eloping a collec i e home, hey a e also gi ing a oice o his pa o
he communi y”(GARCÍA, 2023, p. 29).
Coope a i e housing shows he po en ial o be mo e inclusi e wi h o he ulne able g oups,
such as immig an s, senio s, and LGBTQ+ indi iduals. LACOL e al. (2020) men ions he
concep o "inclusi e coope a i es" and b ings as an example Coope a i e Housing in
Quebec, Canada, which a e designed speci ically o in eg a e people wi h social di icul ies,
unc ional special needs, and immig an s.
“In Quebec, he e a e so-called “inclusi e coope a i es” ha seek o in eg a e people
wi h social di icul ies, disabili ies, mig an s o hose in need o ca e. The homes a e
equipped and adap ed o hei needs and li ing oge he allows o mu ual help. In
hese coope a i es, immig an s who se le in lea n he language and cul u e mo e
quickly, as hey ha e mo e oppo uni ies o in e ac wi h locals”(LACOL, e al. 2020,
p.43).
These coope a i es o e adap ed design housing uni s and c ea e a space in which mu ual
suppo among esiden s is p omo ed, hese common spaces also allow immig an s o
in eg a e in o he communi y mo e easily by p o iding oppo uni ies o cul u al exposu e,
li e exchange, and language lea ning. The inclusion o immig an s in coope a i e housing can
change adi ional housing in which indi idualism and non-in eg a ion a e seen by he lack o
con ac , and any spaces whe e a con e sa ion can be ini ia ed. These o en-ma ginalized
o eign-bo n indi iduals a e gi en a space, os e ing an en i onmen o solida i y and mu ual
aid.
“Coope a i e p ojec s allow o he de elopmen o spaces o ela ionships be ween
he indi idual, he co e o coexis ence, he communi y and socie y […] Communi y,
he esul o physical and social p oximi y, is he de ini ion o belonging o a place. In
he c ea ion o his iden i y, supe icial ies (such as small alk on he s ai s) a e o
g ea impo ance. These exchanges a e enough o gene a e a eeling o in eg a ion and
o eeling a home”(LACOL, e al. 2020, p.72).
17
34 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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Figu e C3: La Mo ada, Feminis and LGBTQ+ coope a i e housing in Ba celona.
The same p inciples apply o he inclusion o di e se indi iduals in coope a i e housing
p ojec s. His o ically, LGBTQ+ people ha e aced disc imina ion in mains eam housing
ma ke s, pa icula ly in communi ies whe e he e ono ma i e alues a e dominan . Howe e ,
as seen in he eme gence o p ojec s like La Mo ada, which as i s name ep esen s,
coope a i e housing can se e as a sa e place o indi iduals who may no eel welcome in
con en ional housing se ings. These kinds o p ojec s also allow non- adi ional amily
s uc u es, u he b eaking down socie y ba ie s ha o en ma ginalized LGBTQ+
indi iduals.
“When looking a he composi ion o cohabi a ion uni s, he e is an inc ease in people
who li e alone o who li e in g oups wi hou amily ies, couples wi h child en om
p e ious ela ionships, e c., mo ing away om he he e ono ma i e amily scheme.
Fo his eason, in coope a i es, ins ead o “ amilies” we no mally speak o
“cohabi a ion uni s” o “li ing uni s” (LACOL, 2020, p. 76).
18
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Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Figu e C3: La Mo ada, Feminis and LGBTQ+ coope a i e housing in Ba celona.
The same p inciples apply o he inclusion o di e se indi iduals in coope a i e housing
p ojec s. His o ically, LGBTQ+ people ha e aced disc imina ion in mains eam housing
ma ke s, pa icula ly in communi ies whe e he e ono ma i e alues a e dominan . Howe e ,
as seen in he eme gence o p ojec s like La Mo ada, which as i s name ep esen s,
coope a i e housing can se e as a sa e place o indi iduals who may no eel welcome in
con en ional housing se ings. These kinds o p ojec s also allow non- adi ional amily
s uc u es, u he b eaking down socie y ba ie s ha o en ma ginalized LGBTQ+
indi iduals.
“When looking a he composi ion o cohabi a ion uni s, he e is an inc ease in people
who li e alone o who li e in g oups wi hou amily ies, couples wi h child en om
p e ious ela ionships, e c., mo ing away om he he e ono ma i e amily scheme.
Fo his eason, in coope a i es, ins ead o “ amilies” we no mally speak o
“cohabi a ion uni s” o “li ing uni s” (LACOL, 2020, p. 76).
18
Figu e C4: La Mo ada, common a eas, ende ed image o coope a i e housing in Ba celona.
Fu he mo e, coope a i e housing can be an impo an model o he elde ly, pa icula ly
LGBTQ+ senio s, who s uggle wi h addi ional di icul ies in adi ional housing sys ems.
Olde LGBTQ+, in many cases, ace ejec ion om hei own amilies and ca e, lo e and
sense o belonging is denied. Coope a i e housing gi es a suppo i e en i onmen whe e
senio s can li e along wi h people o di e en ages and backg ounds gi ing access o a
communi y ha alues di e si y and inclusion. The inclusi e cohousing p ojec s in ci ies like
London and San F ancisco a e examples o how hese communi ies can bene i om
collabo a i e li ing models ha p io i ize inclusi i y, ca e, and sha ed esponsibili y. These
people can ind a shel e in cases whe e hey disco e hemsel es as LGBTQ+ in an age
whe e hei own ejec hem and ind alone wi hou a suppo ing g oup o hem (Czischke,
2023, p. 48).
19
36 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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APRÈN
Figu e C5: La Bo da, Lacol P ojec . Common ki chen a ea. Coope a i e housing in Ba celona.
In some coope a i es, he e is an e o o c ea e an in e gene a ional li ing en i onmen .
Elde ly indi iduals, people wi h disabili ies, and non adi ional amilies can ake ad an age
o mu ual aid. (LACOL, e al. 2020) Fo example, The House o Rebels, a coope a i e in
Quebec whe e he a e age age is 55, ye when housing becomes a ailable young amilies a e
gi en p io i y which allows bene i s such as sha ed ca egi ing esponsibili ies and he
ans e o knowledge ac oss age g oups. In his way an "in e gene a ional p ojec " can be
ensu ed. Aiming an in e gene a ional li ing in hese coope a i es no only p o ides conjoin
ca e be ween he inhabi an s bu also educes he isks associa ed wi h isola ion on he olde
popula ion. Senio s in hese communi ies ha e he chance o in e ac wi h younge
gene a ions, ecei e help wi h daily asks and sha e expe iences. Simila ly, younge
indi iduals can bene i om he wisdom, guidance and suppo o olde communi y membe s.
Designing spaces ha encou age in e ac ion ac oss gene a ions can p omo e inclusi i y and
educe social isola ion. (LACOL, 2020, p. 42).
One o he bases o coope a i e housing is i s emphasis on collec i e decision-making.
A chi ec s play a pi o al ole in designing spaces bu his is achie ed h ough he
pa icipa ion o he indi iduals o he coope a i e, which ga he wi h he a chi ec s o discuss
and pa icipa e in he design p ocess. In LACOL (e al. 2020), he concep o
"asamblea ismo” (assemblyism) is discussed, whe e decision-making is done collec i ely,
wi h a ocus on empa hy, communica ion, and mu ual ca e. P ojec s like La Bo da in Can
Ba lló a e an example, as discussed in he i s chap e o his a icle, on how he his o y o
igh ing o igh s and s uggles can b ing a g oup o people oge he and ans o m he way
o li ing o a neighbo hood and be an example o a whole ci y. O ganiza ion and knowing
how o communica e hei needs as a collec i e is i al o wo k wi h designe s o ma e ialize
and e lec hei ideas in he p ojec (LACOL, 2020, p. 37).
20
37
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Figu e C5: La Bo da, Lacol P ojec . Common ki chen a ea. Coope a i e housing in Ba celona.
In some coope a i es, he e is an e o o c ea e an in e gene a ional li ing en i onmen .
Elde ly indi iduals, people wi h disabili ies, and non adi ional amilies can ake ad an age
o mu ual aid. (LACOL, e al. 2020) Fo example, The House o Rebels, a coope a i e in
Quebec whe e he a e age age is 55, ye when housing becomes a ailable young amilies a e
gi en p io i y which allows bene i s such as sha ed ca egi ing esponsibili ies and he
ans e o knowledge ac oss age g oups. In his way an "in e gene a ional p ojec " can be
ensu ed. Aiming an in e gene a ional li ing in hese coope a i es no only p o ides conjoin
ca e be ween he inhabi an s bu also educes he isks associa ed wi h isola ion on he olde
popula ion. Senio s in hese communi ies ha e he chance o in e ac wi h younge
gene a ions, ecei e help wi h daily asks and sha e expe iences. Simila ly, younge
indi iduals can bene i om he wisdom, guidance and suppo o olde communi y membe s.
Designing spaces ha encou age in e ac ion ac oss gene a ions can p omo e inclusi i y and
educe social isola ion. (LACOL, 2020, p. 42).
One o he bases o coope a i e housing is i s emphasis on collec i e decision-making.
A chi ec s play a pi o al ole in designing spaces bu his is achie ed h ough he
pa icipa ion o he indi iduals o he coope a i e, which ga he wi h he a chi ec s o discuss
and pa icipa e in he design p ocess. In LACOL (e al. 2020), he concep o
"asamblea ismo” (assemblyism) is discussed, whe e decision-making is done collec i ely,
wi h a ocus on empa hy, communica ion, and mu ual ca e. P ojec s like La Bo da in Can
Ba lló a e an example, as discussed in he i s chap e o his a icle, on how he his o y o
igh ing o igh s and s uggles can b ing a g oup o people oge he and ans o m he way
o li ing o a neighbo hood and be an example o a whole ci y. O ganiza ion and knowing
how o communica e hei needs as a collec i e is i al o wo k wi h designe s o ma e ialize
and e lec hei ideas in he p ojec (LACOL, 2020, p. 37).
20
“The examples ci ed he e a ose in con ac wi h o he mo emen s. In U uguay, a la ge
numbe o coope a i es we e bo n linked o unions, so he e was an o ganiza ional
and deba e cul u e hanks o a e y impo an p e ious expe ience o o ganiza ion and
s uggle. I will also be shown la e how hese p ojec s ha e eme ged om (o ha e
p o ided co e age o ) s uggles o he de ense o he en i onmen , he ecep ion o
e ugees o eminis mo emen s”. (LACOL, a al. 2020, p.20).
O ganiza ion, deba es, and collec i e decision making will no only be p esen be o e he
p ocess o designing he coope a i e housing bu also du ing he whole li e o hese
buildings. Tha is whe e he impo ance o common spaces such as sha ed ki chens, dining
ooms, and mee ing a eas, no only se e unc ional pu poses bu also ac as spaces whe e
social in e ac ion, communi y li e and collec i e decision-making can ake place. The spaces
o communi y ac i i ies a e designed in a way ha a e induced o be used bu no he only
op ion (LACOL, e . al, 2020); ha ing a communal dining oom o ki chen does no
necessa ily mean ha all meals mus be sha ed and ha e e yone has o cook in he same
ki chen. This lexibili y allows esiden s o engage wi h he communi y as much o as li le as
hey wish, educing he p essu e o con o m o a igid se o communal no ms (LACOL,
2020, p. 72). Fo example, La Bo da, encou ages and o e s he use o an open and sha ed
ki chen, wi h enough space o a li e in communi y, bu also, in each uni , can be ound a
cooking space, he idea he e is o educe he space o a no mal ki chen inside he uni s and
ans o ming hese spaces in o common use spaces which gi es he chance o add mo e o he
p i a e spaces, like he bed ooms. In LACOL, e al. 2020 is explained he impo ance o ood,
cooking, and he “ac o ea ing’’ o a communi y:
“... Food is an issue ha is widely add essed by communi ies. Ea ing is a basic need
o indi iduals and socie ies. Fo his eason, ac i i ies ela ed o he supply,
p oduc ion, dis ibu ion and consump ion o ood a e so ele an . I s cen al na u e
makes i one o he mos e sa ile and exp essi e human ac i i ies: i gene a es
con lic s, allows ecip oci y and exchange, is basic in he es ablishmen and
main enance o sociabili y, mani es s ways o unde s anding he wo ld and
inco po a es a g ea powe o symbolic e oca ion. I is no su p ising ha i has been
a cen al issue o housing coope a i es, which ha e add essed i wi h a ying
esul s.” (LACOL, a al. 2020, p.75).
21

38 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
CORRALES, Joseph, EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in
APRÈN
Figu e C6: La Bo da, Lacol p ojec . Uni lexible loo plan.
As explained h oughou his chap e , examples in he in e na ional and na ional e e ences,
he physical place and social en i onmen s o coope a i e housing can be shaped pu posely
o e lec and suppo di e se needs and help con empo a y socie ies h i e. La Bo da is an
example o coope a i e sel -design, communi y molding spaces, in e - amily ca ing, and a
eeling o belonging. La Mo ada in Roque es, Ba celona shows a speci ic example o
LGBTQ+ o ganiza ion, igh o igh s, sel - espec and mu ual help o an
o en-disc imina ed communi y. In doing so, coope a i e housing can become no only a
model o sus ainable li ing bu also a powe ul ool o p omo ing equali y, mu ual espec ,
and inclusion o all.
22
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Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Figu e C6: La Bo da, Lacol p ojec . Uni lexible loo plan.
As explained h oughou his chap e , examples in he in e na ional and na ional e e ences,
he physical place and social en i onmen s o coope a i e housing can be shaped pu posely
o e lec and suppo di e se needs and help con empo a y socie ies h i e. La Bo da is an
example o coope a i e sel -design, communi y molding spaces, in e - amily ca ing, and a
eeling o belonging. La Mo ada in Roque es, Ba celona shows a speci ic example o
LGBTQ+ o ganiza ion, igh o igh s, sel - espec and mu ual help o an
o en-disc imina ed communi y. In doing so, coope a i e housing can become no only a
model o sus ainable li ing bu also a powe ul ool o p omo ing equali y, mu ual espec ,
and inclusion o all.
22
COLLECTIVE SPACES
One o he unique a chi ec u al app oaches o La Bo da a e he collec i e spaces and hei
cen al ole in shaping communi y li e and p omo ing collec i e li ing.
This chap e is pu ing a ocus on hese spaces in ega d o hei ela ion o he ollowing
h ee key poin s: he social connec i i y and in e ac ion be ween he esiden s, he lexibili y
and adap abili y o di e en uses and changing ci cums ances and he con ibu ion o he
en i onmen al sus ainabili y o he whole p ojec .
These aspec s enable he inhabi an s o coope a e in decision making p ocesses and showcase
he impac o collec i e spaces o hei e e yday li es, leading o a success ul in e na ional
ecogni ion o La Bo da as a model o coope a i e housing p ojec s.
Social connec i i y and in e ac ion
The main collec i e space o La Bo da is unde s ood as a cen e communal cou ya d on he
g ound loo h ough which one would en e he building; la ge spaces on he di e en le els
a e gene a ed a ound i and connec ed by co ido s in on o he 28 p i a e dwellings,
unc ioning as an ex ension o hese owa ds he common space (Fig. D1). This layou can be
seen as a e e ence o his o ical ypologies o collec i e housing in Spain such as he
‘co alas’ in Mad id (Rebo edo Raposo and Casado Buesa, 2023, p.72).
Common a eas include a communal ki chen, dining oom, laund y acili ies, wo kshops, and
oo op ga dens. These spaces a e mo e han jus ameni ies, hey c ea e se ings o
coope a i e ac i i ies, mee ings, and e en s, os e ing a s ong communi y spi i among
esiden s, encou aging social engagemen and educing isola ion (Fig. D2). Fo hei
c ea ion, pa o he indi idual dwelling is ceded o he collec i e space, unde s anding hese
a eas as pa o hei dwelling. By placing hose spaces in a eas o ull isibili y, e e yone in
he communi y is in i ed o en e and pa icipa e in hei use.
These collec i e spaces wi hin he building can be unde s ood as an in e media e space, a
ansi ion be ween he comple ely p i a e ( he indi idual dwelling) and he comple ely public
( he ci y). As he co-ope a i e membe s hemsel es decide on each space in he building, hey
also choose he le el o p i acy o hese spaces, which allows hem o open up o he ci y. In
he case o La Bo da, his connec ion is es ablished h ough an ecological consume
coope a i e on he g ound loo acing he s ee and he s a egic placemen o he
communi y ki chen be ween he cou ya d and he back o he building, acing he newly buil
pa k ha is cu en ly unde cons uc ion. In se ing, he usages wi h he highes g ade o
publici y along he passageway unde nea h he building, connec ing he s ee wi h he public
a ea behind i , he aim o main ain he ela ionship be ween esiden s and he neighbo hood is
isible.
Those common spaces gi e a meaning o collec i e housing in he sense o li ing in a
communi y, hey allow o he main idea o he p ojec o be de eloped. In he sha ed spaces,
he sense o communi y, belonging o he g oup, is buil (Ga cía Luján, 2023, p. 23-25).
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40 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
CORRALES, Joseph, EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in
APRÈN
Flexibili y and adap abili y
The design o La Bo da’s communal spaces allows hem o adap o changing needs o e
ime. This adap abili y enables esiden s o econ igu e spaces based on e ol ing communi y
equi emen s, whe he o ga he ings, child ca e, o wo kspace. This app oach also os e s a
sense o owne ship and esponsibili y, as esiden s a e encou aged o ake pa in he
main enance and e olu ion o hese spaces. A p ime example o he lexible use o he
communal spaces can be seen in hem becoming a mee ing space o Can Ba llo’s
neighbo hood mo emen (Cab é and And es, 2018, p. 424), c ea ing a di ec link o he
beginnings o he p ojec desc ibed in he i s chap e o his a icle. I is achie ed by
p io i izing common space o e p i a e dwelling space.
The smalle p i a e spaces make oom o la ge , well-equipped communal a eas (Fig. D4).
This layou educes he demand o indi idual ameni ies wi hin each apa men , leading o
mo e e icien esou ce use. Fo ins ance, he communal ki chen allows esiden s o ga he o
sha ed meals, educing he need o ully equipped p i a e ki chens. Simila ly, he laund y
and wo kshop a eas educe he necessi y o each household o own indi idual appliances o
ools. This educ ion o usage in he p i a e spaces enables he a chi ec u e o eac o
di e en needs o hei inhabi an s which can be seen in he plan d awings (Fig. D3) and as
desc ibed below.
The dwellings o cohabi a ion uni s de ine he s uc u al amewo k o he building om i s
ini ial module o 16m² and whose addi ion p oduces he di e en possible ypologies o he
p ojec . Ini ially he e a e h ee a ia ions acco ding o he size o each uni wi h 40, 60 and
75m² o su ace each. All o hem sha e wi h he smalles op ion a common co e o med by
he we a eas, ba h oom and ki chen (Fig. D5), and wo minimum modules o 16m², called
esiden ial, as hey a e in e changeable wi h o he uses e.g. a li ing oom, s udy o o ice. In
addi ion, all he uni s sha e hei espec i e collec i e spaces o a ce ain ex en wi h he
common access galle ies. The 60 and 75m² op ions a e o med by adding one o wo o he
24
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Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Flexibili y and adap abili y
The design o La Bo da’s communal spaces allows hem o adap o changing needs o e
ime. This adap abili y enables esiden s o econ igu e spaces based on e ol ing communi y
equi emen s, whe he o ga he ings, child ca e, o wo kspace. This app oach also os e s a
sense o owne ship and esponsibili y, as esiden s a e encou aged o ake pa in he
main enance and e olu ion o hese spaces. A p ime example o he lexible use o he
communal spaces can be seen in hem becoming a mee ing space o Can Ba llo’s
neighbo hood mo emen (Cab é and And es, 2018, p. 424), c ea ing a di ec link o he
beginnings o he p ojec desc ibed in he i s chap e o his a icle. I is achie ed by
p io i izing common space o e p i a e dwelling space.
The smalle p i a e spaces make oom o la ge , well-equipped communal a eas (Fig. D4).
This layou educes he demand o indi idual ameni ies wi hin each apa men , leading o
mo e e icien esou ce use. Fo ins ance, he communal ki chen allows esiden s o ga he o
sha ed meals, educing he need o ully equipped p i a e ki chens. Simila ly, he laund y
and wo kshop a eas educe he necessi y o each household o own indi idual appliances o
ools. This educ ion o usage in he p i a e spaces enables he a chi ec u e o eac o
di e en needs o hei inhabi an s which can be seen in he plan d awings (Fig. D3) and as
desc ibed below.
The dwellings o cohabi a ion uni s de ine he s uc u al amewo k o he building om i s
ini ial module o 16m² and whose addi ion p oduces he di e en possible ypologies o he
p ojec . Ini ially he e a e h ee a ia ions acco ding o he size o each uni wi h 40, 60 and
75m² o su ace each. All o hem sha e wi h he smalles op ion a common co e o med by
he we a eas, ba h oom and ki chen (Fig. D5), and wo minimum modules o 16m², called
esiden ial, as hey a e in e changeable wi h o he uses e.g. a li ing oom, s udy o o ice. In
addi ion, all he uni s sha e hei espec i e collec i e spaces o a ce ain ex en wi h he
common access galle ies. The 60 and 75m² op ions a e o med by adding one o wo o he
24
housing modules o he smalle ypology, aken om he adjacen dwellings, which can hen
be e u ned o exchanged. The ini ial app oach o he p ojec has been based on dis ibu ing
he di e en ypologies in he mos a ied way possible h oughou he en i e building (Fig.
D6). Tha allows o a ce ain di e si y o uni s and hei deg ee o occupancy on each loo
(Rebo edo Raposo and Casado Buesa, 2023, p.70-73).
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48 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
CORRALES, Joseph, EHLERS, Noah, EHRMAN, Saman ha and SCHWABE, Cal in
APRÈN
Figu e C5: La Bo da Coop Websi e. [Accessed: 2 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h p://www.labo da.coop/es/p oyec o/ ida-en-comun
Figu e C6: MONTANER, Josep Ma ía. La a qui ec u a de La Bo da: con ex o, ges ión y
o ma. Summa+ Magazine. Numbe 176. Vi i en la Ciudad. A gen ina, 2020. ISSN
0327-9022. [Accessed: 7 No embe 2024] A ailable on
h ps://www.lacol.coop/wp-con en /uploads/2020/03/S176_Lacol_La-Bo da.pd
Figu e D1: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cen al cou ya d [pho og aphy] [Accessed: 15.
Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D2: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da communi y space [pho og aphy] [Accessed: 15.
Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D3: LACOL. La Bo da Habi a ge Coope a iu - Fi s loo [plan d awing] [Accessed:
15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a : h ps://www.lacol.coop/p ojec es/labo da/
Figu e D4: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cou ya d and communi y space [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15.Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D5: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da in e io iew o a dwelling uni [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D6: LACOL. Di e en dwelling modules and hei combina ion o he S, M and L
ypologies [d awing] [Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.lacol.coop/p ojec es/labo da/
Figu e D7: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cen al cou ya d and oo s uc u e [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D8: LACOL. Cou ya d en ila ion p inciple o La Bo da [schema ic d awing]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.a qui ec u aca alana.ca /en/wo ks/coope a i a-dhabi a ges-la-bo da
32

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F om c isis o communi y: La Bo da’s ision o collec i e and a o dable housing APRÈN
Figu e C5: La Bo da Coop Websi e. [Accessed: 2 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h p://www.labo da.coop/es/p oyec o/ ida-en-comun
Figu e C6: MONTANER, Josep Ma ía. La a qui ec u a de La Bo da: con ex o, ges ión y
o ma. Summa+ Magazine. Numbe 176. Vi i en la Ciudad. A gen ina, 2020. ISSN
0327-9022. [Accessed: 7 No embe 2024] A ailable on
h ps://www.lacol.coop/wp-con en /uploads/2020/03/S176_Lacol_La-Bo da.pd
Figu e D1: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cen al cou ya d [pho og aphy] [Accessed: 15.
Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D2: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da communi y space [pho og aphy] [Accessed: 15.
Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D3: LACOL. La Bo da Habi a ge Coope a iu - Fi s loo [plan d awing] [Accessed:
15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a : h ps://www.lacol.coop/p ojec es/labo da/
Figu e D4: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cou ya d and communi y space [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15.Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D5: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da in e io iew o a dwelling uni [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D6: LACOL. Di e en dwelling modules and hei combina ion o he S, M and L
ypologies [d awing] [Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.lacol.coop/p ojec es/labo da/
Figu e D7: MIRALLES, Lluc. La Bo da cen al cou ya d and oo s uc u e [pho og aphy]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://llucmi alles.com/ il e /pho og aphy/Coope a i a-d-habi a ge-La-Bo da-LaCol
Figu e D8: LACOL. Cou ya d en ila ion p inciple o La Bo da [schema ic d awing]
[Accessed: 15. Dezembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.a qui ec u aca alana.ca /en/wo ks/coope a i a-dhabi a ges-la-bo da
32
50 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
MERZ, Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia
APRÈN
F om Tex ile Fac o y o Social Housing: Fab a i Coa s, he Challenge
o Con empo a y U ban In eg a ion
F om indus ial legacy o new communi y uses: a balance be ween his o y and
u ban mode ni y.
Abs ac
This a icle explo es he his o y and con ex o he e u bishmen o Fab a i Coa s
ac o y in Ba celona (Roldán + Be engué a chi ec s, 2019) h ough he balance
be ween p ese ing his o ical iden i y and p omo ing social in eg a ion, highligh ing
how he ans o ma ion o indus ial he i age can enhance u ban esilience, cul u al
i ali y, and sus ainable de elopmen . I examines how his ans o ma ion o e s a
sus ainable solu ion, balancing his o ical p ese a ion wi h con empo a y u ban needs,
aising ques ions abou he ole o common spaces in os e ing social in eg a ion, and
explo ing how e e sibili y in design ensu es adap abili y o changing needs. By
e lec ing on he successes and challenges o he Fab a i Coa s p ojec , his s udy aims
o o e aluable insigh s in o he wide implica ions o ehabili a ing indus ial he i age
in oday's u ban en i onmen s, add essing opics like he c ea ion o social housing,
he p omo ion o inclusi i y, and he social impac hese p ojec s can ha e on he
communi y.
Keywo ds
- His o ical he i age
- Social housing
- Re e sibili y
- Changing s ages and pe manence
- Sus ainabili y
Anas asia Me z, Ca la Ma ello, Fede ico Vialey, Rebecca Menchini, Zog a ia Za a eli
51
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
F om Tex ile Fac o y o Social Housing: Fab a i Coa s, he Challenge
o Con empo a y U ban In eg a ion
F om indus ial legacy o new communi y uses: a balance be ween his o y and
u ban mode ni y.
Abs ac
This a icle explo es he his o y and con ex o he e u bishmen o Fab a i Coa s
ac o y in Ba celona (Roldán + Be engué a chi ec s, 2019) h ough he balance
be ween p ese ing his o ical iden i y and p omo ing social in eg a ion, highligh ing
how he ans o ma ion o indus ial he i age can enhance u ban esilience, cul u al
i ali y, and sus ainable de elopmen . I examines how his ans o ma ion o e s a
sus ainable solu ion, balancing his o ical p ese a ion wi h con empo a y u ban needs,
aising ques ions abou he ole o common spaces in os e ing social in eg a ion, and
explo ing how e e sibili y in design ensu es adap abili y o changing needs. By
e lec ing on he successes and challenges o he Fab a i Coa s p ojec , his s udy aims
o o e aluable insigh s in o he wide implica ions o ehabili a ing indus ial he i age
in oday's u ban en i onmen s, add essing opics like he c ea ion o social housing,
he p omo ion o inclusi i y, and he social impac hese p ojec s can ha e on he
communi y.
Keywo ds
- His o ical he i age
- Social housing
- Re e sibili y
- Changing s ages and pe manence
- Sus ainabili y
Anas asia Me z, Ca la Ma ello, Fede ico Vialey, Rebecca Menchini, Zog a ia Za a eli
One o he ways o explo e new a eas o a chi ec u al he i age can be h ough he
ehabili a ion and euse o o me indus ial complexes, such as Fab a i Coa s
(1910-1920) in Ba celona, which opened i s doo s in 2012 o e ing a unique
oppo uni y o conside e hinking i s ela ionship wi h ou con empo a y u ban needs.
This o me ex ile ac o y (1903-2005), ha has played an impo an ole in he ci y o
such a long ime, u ned in o a cul u al and social hub wi h some o i s his o y
main ained a ound new uses. Howe e , his p ocess aises a ques ion o how we can
se e bo h his o ical memo y and he sha ed eali ies o changing expe iences in
di e se u ban li e? (FDC, 2017)
The idea o ehabili a ion is much mo e han jus he physical es o a ion o a building.
This in ol es eassessing he building o epu pose and eshape i o upda e
con empo a y equi emen s h ough co-li ing, cowo king, and cul u e. These common
unc ions o e no el answe s o issues such as u ban densi y o access. Howe e , hey
also c ea e an inqui y abou he au hen ic inclusi eness o hese places and hei e ec
on he local popula ions.
The Fab a i Coa s building could be a pa adigma ic case o checking hese ques ions.
Will hese common spaces be adop ed as e ec i e mechanisms o social in eg a ion,
o will we p oduce es o ed spaces ha ha e li le o do wi h he eal ci y?
To add ess hese ques ions, i is c ucial o conside he delica e balance be ween
p ese ing he building’s his o ical essence and adap ing i o con empo a y u ban
dynamics. Rehabili a ion p ojec s like Fab a i Coa s mus na iga e mul iple challenges:
c ea ing spaces ha espond o social needs, ensu ing accessibili y o di e se g oups,
and embedding sus ainabili y in o hei ans o ma ion. A he same ime, hese
p ojec s should emain lexible enough o allow o u u e changes, e lec ing he
concep o e e sibili y in design. Only by in eg a ing hese p inciples can such spaces
become au hen ic con ibu o s o he e ol ing ab ic o he ci y, a he han isola ed
monumen s o he pas .
HISTORICAL HERITAGE
In he 1970s, an in e es in he alo iza ion o indus ial he i age began o eme ge and
was ecognized as a new ca ego y o common good. The ‘Na a Documen 1994’ s a es
ha indus ial he i age is ecognized as a new ca ego y wi hin cul u al he i age. I
emphasizes he impo ance o conse ing and aluing si es and objec s ela ed o
indus ial his o y, highligh ing hei cul u al and social ele ance.
In his sense, i led o inc eased public awa eness, de eloping a g ea e unde s anding
o he alues ep esen ed by he cul u al asse s hemsel es, as well as he ole ha
52 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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APRÈN
such monumen s and si es play in con empo a y socie y. F om he e, in en o ies we e
c ea ed and policies o he conse a ion, p ese a ion, and ehabili a ion o his
he i age we e implemen ed, ini ially conside ing hem as indi idual objec s and, o e
ime, as ensembles.
Indus ial he i age ep esen s a es ige o humani y's collec i e memo y (NARA 1994).
The aces o he indus ial e olu ion ha e been ans o med in o new cul u al asse s
and esou ces o p omo e sus ainable de elopmen a local and egional le el.
We can see hese p ocesses in p ojec s such as he B i ish Na ional Museum o Mode n
A (London, 2000, He zog & de Meu on), Radial Sys em, (Be lin, 2006, Jü gen Maye
H.), Usina del A e (Buenos Ai es, 2007, Be ina K op ), among o he s. In his sense, all
ma e ial emains a e included, ega dless o hei s a e o p ese a ion, which e lec s
he ma e ial cul u e o he capi alis indus ial socie y gene a ed h oughou his o y by
human p oduc i e and ex ac i e ac i i ies.
Indus ial he i age can he e o e be seen as a es imony o e e yday li e and a memo y
o wo k and place. This he i age may be ac i e, a isk o disappea ing, o i may be an
ex inc asse , no longe in use, o a uin o ming pa o a o go en landscape. We
could say ha indus ial he i age canno be conse ed, in e p e ed, and alued wi hou
a de ense s a egy ha akes in o accoun he con ex ha shapes and su ounds i .
In his sense, Fab a i Coa s can se e as an example o explo e hese issues. I is a
undamen al pa o he San And eu neighbo hood and a key poin o unde s anding
i s his o y. The c ea ion o he ac o y became a clea symbol o he ansi ion om an
ag icul u al socie y o an indus ial one. In 1911, Fab a i Coa s es ablished i sel as San
And eu's i s indus ial con ibu o and one o he main ones in he ci y o Ba celona, a
ex ile ac o y wi h a o al o 1,500 wo ke s (FdC 2017).
53
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
such monumen s and si es play in con empo a y socie y. F om he e, in en o ies we e
c ea ed and policies o he conse a ion, p ese a ion, and ehabili a ion o his
he i age we e implemen ed, ini ially conside ing hem as indi idual objec s and, o e
ime, as ensembles.
Indus ial he i age ep esen s a es ige o humani y's collec i e memo y (NARA 1994).
The aces o he indus ial e olu ion ha e been ans o med in o new cul u al asse s
and esou ces o p omo e sus ainable de elopmen a local and egional le el.
We can see hese p ocesses in p ojec s such as he B i ish Na ional Museum o Mode n
A (London, 2000, He zog & de Meu on), Radial Sys em, (Be lin, 2006, Jü gen Maye
H.), Usina del A e (Buenos Ai es, 2007, Be ina K op ), among o he s. In his sense, all
ma e ial emains a e included, ega dless o hei s a e o p ese a ion, which e lec s
he ma e ial cul u e o he capi alis indus ial socie y gene a ed h oughou his o y by
human p oduc i e and ex ac i e ac i i ies.
Indus ial he i age can he e o e be seen as a es imony o e e yday li e and a memo y
o wo k and place. This he i age may be ac i e, a isk o disappea ing, o i may be an
ex inc asse , no longe in use, o a uin o ming pa o a o go en landscape. We
could say ha indus ial he i age canno be conse ed, in e p e ed, and alued wi hou
a de ense s a egy ha akes in o accoun he con ex ha shapes and su ounds i .
In his sense, Fab a i Coa s can se e as an example o explo e hese issues. I is a
undamen al pa o he San And eu neighbo hood and a key poin o unde s anding
i s his o y. The c ea ion o he ac o y became a clea symbol o he ansi ion om an
ag icul u al socie y o an indus ial one. In 1911, Fab a i Coa s es ablished i sel as San
And eu's i s indus ial con ibu o and one o he main ones in he ci y o Ba celona, a
ex ile ac o y wi h a o al o 1,500 wo ke s (FdC 2017).
Fig. 1: AUTHOR UNKNOWN , Exi o he s a o he G an de S . And eu s ee , ca. 1950
Mo eo e , in addi ion o being an engine o de elopmen o he ci y, he ac o y
in oduced a la ge numbe o labou ad an ages ha had no ye been implemen ed in
Spain. Fab a y Coa s had co ages in he 1920s, wo king hou s o 50/55 hou s in 1913
when he no m was 60/65, a Mon epío o assis ance o he sick and widows, pensions
om 1925, and always leisu e, cul u al and spo ing ac i i ies, as well as acili ies o
access o he pu chase o hei own home o hei employees (CF 2003).
Howe e , hese ‘labou ad an ages’ should no be seen as he simple esul o good
business ope a ions, bu o a wo ke 's and neighbou s mo emen o collec i e s uggle
o acqui e hese igh s. In his con ex , he sum o labou igh s g an ed o Fab a y
Coa s employees is linked o he o igins o mu ualism in Spain du ing he 19 h cen u y,
a pe iod cha ac e ized by indus ializa ion and signi ican social changes.

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APRÈN
I eme ged as a esponse o he needs o wo ke s, who sough p o ec ion and suppo
in he ace o job insecu i y and lack o igh s. The i s mu ual socie ies we e o med
a ound 1840, p omo ing solida i y among hei membe s h ough he c ea ion o unds
o co e illness, acciden s, and pensions (Ma ín 2006, 35-54).
In ecen decades, mu uali y has expe ienced a esu gence, adap ing o he new
eali ies o he wo ld o wo k and socie y. Today, mu ual socie ies con inue o play an
impo an ole in social p o ec ion, al hough hey ace challenges such as compe i ion
wi h la ge social secu i y sys ems and he need o mode niza ion.
The his o y o Fab a i Coa s is ex ensi e, bu his a icle ocuses on he social p ocesses
and impac s i had and con inues o ha e on he communi y o San And eu.
The Collec i e Figh o Fab a i Coa s
The communi y o San And eu ecognized he his o ical and cul u al impo ance o
Fab a i Coa s and i s po en ial as a space ha would bene i local socie y. Neighbou s
and di e en collec i es o ganized hemsel es o ad oca e o he eco e y o he si e,
holding mee ings, assemblies, and ac i i ies o aise awa eness o he need o e i alize
i . Reclaiming he old si e no only means ha ing 6,500 m² o new space o in eg a ion
bu also in ol es a collec i e desi e and a s uggle ha con ibu es o gene a ing
communi y.
In his sense, on a ci y scale, he eco e y o hese spaces is pa o a b oade
p og amme o ‘c ea ion ac o ies’, cul u al acili ies owned and managed by he ci y
i sel , on a sha ed o public basis, as he case may be. I is a p og amme o use
indus ial buildings o hos a is ic p ocesses. Since he mid-2000s, he unc ional
p og amme Ba celona Fac o ies o C ea ion, p omo ed by Ba celona Ci y Council and
managed di ec ly by he Ba celona Ins i u e o Cul u e, aims o encou age g ea e
in ol emen and pa icipa ion o ci izens, and o neighbou s in pa icula , in he a is ic
and c ea i e sphe e. They a e no longe conside ed me e spec a o s o consume s, bu
ac i e agen s who pa icipa e a di e en le els (FdC 2017).
55
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
I eme ged as a esponse o he needs o wo ke s, who sough p o ec ion and suppo
in he ace o job insecu i y and lack o igh s. The i s mu ual socie ies we e o med
a ound 1840, p omo ing solida i y among hei membe s h ough he c ea ion o unds
o co e illness, acciden s, and pensions (Ma ín 2006, 35-54).
In ecen decades, mu uali y has expe ienced a esu gence, adap ing o he new
eali ies o he wo ld o wo k and socie y. Today, mu ual socie ies con inue o play an
impo an ole in social p o ec ion, al hough hey ace challenges such as compe i ion
wi h la ge social secu i y sys ems and he need o mode niza ion.
The his o y o Fab a i Coa s is ex ensi e, bu his a icle ocuses on he social p ocesses
and impac s i had and con inues o ha e on he communi y o San And eu.
The Collec i e Figh o Fab a i Coa s
The communi y o San And eu ecognized he his o ical and cul u al impo ance o
Fab a i Coa s and i s po en ial as a space ha would bene i local socie y. Neighbou s
and di e en collec i es o ganized hemsel es o ad oca e o he eco e y o he si e,
holding mee ings, assemblies, and ac i i ies o aise awa eness o he need o e i alize
i . Reclaiming he old si e no only means ha ing 6,500 m² o new space o in eg a ion
bu also in ol es a collec i e desi e and a s uggle ha con ibu es o gene a ing
communi y.
In his sense, on a ci y scale, he eco e y o hese spaces is pa o a b oade
p og amme o ‘c ea ion ac o ies’, cul u al acili ies owned and managed by he ci y
i sel , on a sha ed o public basis, as he case may be. I is a p og amme o use
indus ial buildings o hos a is ic p ocesses. Since he mid-2000s, he unc ional
p og amme Ba celona Fac o ies o C ea ion, p omo ed by Ba celona Ci y Council and
managed di ec ly by he Ba celona Ins i u e o Cul u e, aims o encou age g ea e
in ol emen and pa icipa ion o ci izens, and o neighbou s in pa icula , in he a is ic
and c ea i e sphe e. They a e no longe conside ed me e spec a o s o consume s, bu
ac i e agen s who pa icipa e a di e en le els (FdC 2017).
Fig. 2: FABRA I COATS , Fab a i Coa s ac i i ies, 2017
Fig. 3: FABRA I COATS , Fab a i Coa s ac i i ies, 2017
Fig. 4: FABRA I COATS , Fab a i Coa s ac i i ies, 2017
56 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
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APRÈN
The p ojec is inspi ed by a numbe o in e na ional ini ia i es ha ha e eme ged since
he la e 1990s. The mos ob ious e e ence is he p ojec e ol ing a ound T ans
Eu ope Halles, a Eu opean ne wo k o cul u al cen es p omo ed by ci izens and a is s
in eused o me ac o ies. Among he mos ele an a e he F iche la Belle de Mai in
Ma seille (1992), he Cable Fac o y in Helsinki (1991) o he u aFab ik in Be lin (1979),
among many o he s.
In his con ex , h ough he ac i e pa icipa ion o he communi y, p oposals we e
de eloped o he use o he space, sugges ing ha i become a cul u al, a is ic and
social cen e. Ideas we e pu o wa d o wo kshops, exhibi ions, communi y ac i i ies,
and p oposals we e p esen ed seeking ins i u ional suppo . On 22 Decembe 2006 he
ag eemen o he eco e y o Fab a i Coa s was signed (FdC 2017) and since hen hey
ha e ma ked an impo an miles one in he p ocess o ans o ma ion and
ehabili a ion o he San And eu neighbou hood and he Ba celona communi y.
In his sense, i could be said ha he his o y o Fab a i Coa s and he eco e y o he
ac o y is a signi ican example o how indus ial his o y and collec i e memo y can
in luence he social and cul u al ans o ma ion o a space.
Fu he mo e, he eco e y is d i en by he ac i e pa icipa ion o he communi y,
which is in line wi h he alues o he wo ke s' s uggle, whe e he oice o he wo ke s
and he communi y is undamen al in deciding he des inies o socie y.
The ans o ma ion o Fab a i Coa s can also be seen as a symbol o con empo a y
s uggles o social jus ice, access o cul u e and he de ence o he i age. We could say
ha he wo ke s' s uggle o Fab a i Coa s and i s eco e y as a cul u al cen e a e
in insically connec ed, as bo h e lec he impo ance o communi y, his o ical
memo y and he sea ch o a mo e jus and pa icipa o y u u e.
SOCIAL HOUSING
The Fab a i Coa s housing p ojec is an example o social housing ha p io i izes bo h
lexibili y and communi y li ing. I con ains 41 social housing uni s o young people
and also i e empo a y apa men s o a is s. I s design inco po a es a ying le els o
p i acy, wi h p i a e ooms, smalle communal li ing a eas and la ge sha ed spaces,
like a oo op e ace and ga den a eas, encou aging in e ac ion among esiden s. In
gene al he design os e s a communal li e h ough sha ed spaces, such as an open hall
ha ac s as a cen al ga he ing poin o a cen al cou ya d, which con ains a ga den
ha no only connec s esiden s wi h he ou doo s bu also se es as a social hub.
(Face 2012, 73-77 / Wessely and Ho meis e 2023, 237-238)
57
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
The p ojec is inspi ed by a numbe o in e na ional ini ia i es ha ha e eme ged since
he la e 1990s. The mos ob ious e e ence is he p ojec e ol ing a ound T ans
Eu ope Halles, a Eu opean ne wo k o cul u al cen es p omo ed by ci izens and a is s
in eused o me ac o ies. Among he mos ele an a e he F iche la Belle de Mai in
Ma seille (1992), he Cable Fac o y in Helsinki (1991) o he u aFab ik in Be lin (1979),
among many o he s.
In his con ex , h ough he ac i e pa icipa ion o he communi y, p oposals we e
de eloped o he use o he space, sugges ing ha i become a cul u al, a is ic and
social cen e. Ideas we e pu o wa d o wo kshops, exhibi ions, communi y ac i i ies,
and p oposals we e p esen ed seeking ins i u ional suppo . On 22 Decembe 2006 he
ag eemen o he eco e y o Fab a i Coa s was signed (FdC 2017) and since hen hey
ha e ma ked an impo an miles one in he p ocess o ans o ma ion and
ehabili a ion o he San And eu neighbou hood and he Ba celona communi y.
In his sense, i could be said ha he his o y o Fab a i Coa s and he eco e y o he
ac o y is a signi ican example o how indus ial his o y and collec i e memo y can
in luence he social and cul u al ans o ma ion o a space.
Fu he mo e, he eco e y is d i en by he ac i e pa icipa ion o he communi y,
which is in line wi h he alues o he wo ke s' s uggle, whe e he oice o he wo ke s
and he communi y is undamen al in deciding he des inies o socie y.
The ans o ma ion o Fab a i Coa s can also be seen as a symbol o con empo a y
s uggles o social jus ice, access o cul u e and he de ence o he i age. We could say
ha he wo ke s' s uggle o Fab a i Coa s and i s eco e y as a cul u al cen e a e
in insically connec ed, as bo h e lec he impo ance o communi y, his o ical
memo y and he sea ch o a mo e jus and pa icipa o y u u e.
SOCIAL HOUSING
The Fab a i Coa s housing p ojec is an example o social housing ha p io i izes bo h
lexibili y and communi y li ing. I con ains 41 social housing uni s o young people
and also i e empo a y apa men s o a is s. I s design inco po a es a ying le els o
p i acy, wi h p i a e ooms, smalle communal li ing a eas and la ge sha ed spaces,
like a oo op e ace and ga den a eas, encou aging in e ac ion among esiden s. In
gene al he design os e s a communal li e h ough sha ed spaces, such as an open hall
ha ac s as a cen al ga he ing poin o a cen al cou ya d, which con ains a ga den
ha no only connec s esiden s wi h he ou doo s bu also se es as a social hub.
(Face 2012, 73-77 / Wessely and Ho meis e 2023, 237-238)
Social housing can be de ined as en al housing p o ided by he go e nmen o
nonp o i g oups. The pu pose o social housing is o p o ide a o dable homes o
non-acqui ing social classes.
Mo eo e , indus ial he i age si es, such as he Fab a i Coa s housing p ojec , show
how old buildings can be gi en new li e while keeping he memo y o pas gene a ions
ali e. By u ning hese spaces in o some hing use ul, like social housing, hei alue and
pu pose a e p ese ed. Wi hou such euse, hese buildings can lose hei meaning and
become o go en.
Fig. 5: MERZ A., Communi y- ocused en ance a ea o social housing, 27 h Oc obe 2024
Social housing aces many challenges. Fi s ly, o e ime, he a ailabili y o uni s
dec eases due o ac o s like demoli ion o aging buildings, p i a iza ion o social
housing and insu icien cons uc ion o new uni s o mee demand. Secondly, some
buildings ace quali y issues. Thi dly, high demand leads o longe wai ing lis s o
people. (Ga iga 9 h Sep embe 2024)
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acili ies o ce ain g oups in he popula ion such as he you hs and he elde ly
people”. (Peig Fon 2020)
“The building heigh co esponds o ha o he exis ing building. The numbe o loo s
is se a G ound Floo (PB) + 3 Uppe Floo s (PT) + A ic. I can inco po a e an ex e nal
s ai case s uc u e on he acade, wi h cons uc ion cha ac e is ics simila o he
exis ing s uc u e. The numbe o housing uni s emains a 100 designa ed housing
uni s, as speci ied in he MPGM (Me opoli an Gene al Plan Modi ica ion) o he
in eg a ion o designa ed housing in he a ea o he Fab a i Coa s si e. The Municipal
Housing Boa d (PHMB) is he main p omo e o p o ec ed and designa ed housing, as
well as he p ima y manage o he ci y's public housing s ock.”(Peig Fon 2020). This
plan was ocused on he ecycling o he exis ing building s uc u e and managed he
indus ial aes he ics o he ac o y building. I implemen ed es ic ions on zones and
heigh s o he olumes and he o e all oo p in s o new cons uc ions o adhe e o he
o iginal con igu a ion o he ac o y. In addi ion, i desc ibed how new cons uc ions
should adjoin he e ained elemen s o he ac o y while emphasizing on social housing
and communi y spaces.
The 2015 ision was mo e de ailed and p ecise by Roldán + Be engué A chi ec s. I
concen a ed on he con e sion o one o he indus ial buildings o Fab a i Coa s(a
la ge indus ial hall) in o esiden ial accommoda ion o he young. The p oposal hen
e ol ed o wha could be desc ibed as a mo e ocused, o pe haps, speci ic o m o
esiden ial zoning in he middle o an indus ial en i onmen . “The p ojec o 80
dwellings in a building in he o me Fab a i Coa s ac o y complex in Ba celona o ms
pa o an u ban ope a ion o eco e a 19 h-cen u y ex ile mill o he ci y and gi e
he dis ic o San And eu o e 28.000 m2 o acili ies and social housing. The
in e en ion consis ed o emp ying a building (100x15m) in he complex and e illing i
wi h 80 dwellings o young people. The epe i i e na u e o a housing p og am shi s
a en ion o he communal spaces. The s ai ways and halls he e o e p esen an o e all
pe cep ion o he olumes by means o he use o double-heigh spaces a anged
e ically. They also connec isually by means o diagonals om he g ound- loo oye
o he oo usses. Ma e ials, inishes, and ex u es a e used o iden i y he indus ial
na u e o he o iginal building.”(Peig Fon 2020). The concep behind his speci ic
e ical sys em p o ided a spa ial jou ney, os e ing in e ac ion and communica ion
amongs he esiden s o he dis inc loo s. The use o double olume heigh in he
communal a eas linked he di e en le els o he building and made use o he o iginal
indus ial olume. This design s a egy helps o main ain a sense o he open,
expansi e na u e o he ac o y. Also main aining he o iginal ma e ials o he s uc u e
o he building, i s indus ial aes he ic is enhanced while being used p ima ily as a
esiden ial building. The in e io is ans o med o mee mode n needs, bu ca e is
aken o p ese e he spa ial quali ies o he indus ial hall, allowing esiden s o
expe ience he as ness and his o ical signi icance o he space.

65
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
acili ies o ce ain g oups in he popula ion such as he you hs and he elde ly
people”. (Peig Fon 2020)
“The building heigh co esponds o ha o he exis ing building. The numbe o loo s
is se a G ound Floo (PB) + 3 Uppe Floo s (PT) + A ic. I can inco po a e an ex e nal
s ai case s uc u e on he acade, wi h cons uc ion cha ac e is ics simila o he
exis ing s uc u e. The numbe o housing uni s emains a 100 designa ed housing
uni s, as speci ied in he MPGM (Me opoli an Gene al Plan Modi ica ion) o he
in eg a ion o designa ed housing in he a ea o he Fab a i Coa s si e. The Municipal
Housing Boa d (PHMB) is he main p omo e o p o ec ed and designa ed housing, as
well as he p ima y manage o he ci y's public housing s ock.”(Peig Fon 2020). This
plan was ocused on he ecycling o he exis ing building s uc u e and managed he
indus ial aes he ics o he ac o y building. I implemen ed es ic ions on zones and
heigh s o he olumes and he o e all oo p in s o new cons uc ions o adhe e o he
o iginal con igu a ion o he ac o y. In addi ion, i desc ibed how new cons uc ions
should adjoin he e ained elemen s o he ac o y while emphasizing on social housing
and communi y spaces.
The 2015 ision was mo e de ailed and p ecise by Roldán + Be engué A chi ec s. I
concen a ed on he con e sion o one o he indus ial buildings o Fab a i Coa s(a
la ge indus ial hall) in o esiden ial accommoda ion o he young. The p oposal hen
e ol ed o wha could be desc ibed as a mo e ocused, o pe haps, speci ic o m o
esiden ial zoning in he middle o an indus ial en i onmen . “The p ojec o 80
dwellings in a building in he o me Fab a i Coa s ac o y complex in Ba celona o ms
pa o an u ban ope a ion o eco e a 19 h-cen u y ex ile mill o he ci y and gi e
he dis ic o San And eu o e 28.000 m2 o acili ies and social housing. The
in e en ion consis ed o emp ying a building (100x15m) in he complex and e illing i
wi h 80 dwellings o young people. The epe i i e na u e o a housing p og am shi s
a en ion o he communal spaces. The s ai ways and halls he e o e p esen an o e all
pe cep ion o he olumes by means o he use o double-heigh spaces a anged
e ically. They also connec isually by means o diagonals om he g ound- loo oye
o he oo usses. Ma e ials, inishes, and ex u es a e used o iden i y he indus ial
na u e o he o iginal building.”(Peig Fon 2020). The concep behind his speci ic
e ical sys em p o ided a spa ial jou ney, os e ing in e ac ion and communica ion
amongs he esiden s o he dis inc loo s. The use o double olume heigh in he
communal a eas linked he di e en le els o he building and made use o he o iginal
indus ial olume. This design s a egy helps o main ain a sense o he open,
expansi e na u e o he ac o y. Also main aining he o iginal ma e ials o he s uc u e
o he building, i s indus ial aes he ic is enhanced while being used p ima ily as a
esiden ial building. The in e io is ans o med o mee mode n needs, bu ca e is
aken o p ese e he spa ial quali ies o he indus ial hall, allowing esiden s o
expe ience he as ness and his o ical signi icance o he space.
Fig.: 11 & 12 HOFMEISTER S., U ban A chi ec u e and Communi y, Since 2010
“The p oposal pu a lo o ocus on he use and ci cula ion spaces o he building such
as he mul i-pu pose ooms and s ai cases.These spaces we e c ea ed wi h he
in en ion o allowing esiden s o engage one ano he and de elop social ela ions.
The e was also p o ision o cul u al places as cul u e was conside ed essen ial in he
achie emen o he p ojec . “The p ojec seeks o espec he exis ing building as much
as possible, p oposing an independen , ligh weigh wooden in e io s uc u e. Fou
loo s a e planned, main aining a sepa a ion laye om he exis ing acades. The
apa men layou s a e designed o c oss en ila ion, allowing o dual o ien a ion.”
(Wessely and Ho meis e 2023, 237)
The signi icance o his p oposal is ha i managed o p ese e he Indus ial He i age
o he exis ing s uc u e. This concep o ans o ma ion main ained he indus ial spi i
o he building and he ex ile ac o y, using i s la ge in e io spaces wi h a new layou
o he housing uni s. The ex e io s uc u e o he ac o y emained, and new in e nal
cons uc ion was pu up in an a emp o i new li ing s anda ds wi hin he amewo k
o he building. The in e nal pa i ions, which we e ligh weigh ma e ials such as wood
we e done in a way ha hey could i in o he old building wi hou al e ing he o iginal
design, keeping he scale and ex e nal image o he exis ing building, while changing
in e io scales o com o able and e icien li ing. The main concep ha de ined he
design was he modula i y and lexibili y o he li ing uni s. Conce ning he spa ial
design, he a chi ec u al layou ea u ed e icien and com o able li ing spaces wi h
c oss en ila ion and na u al ligh om wo di ec ions. Mo eo e , ci cula ion-sha ed
spaces such as s ai cases and mul i-pu pose ooms a e posi ioned o achie e social
in eg a ion and a sense o communal oge he ness h oughou he s uc u e. These
communal acili ies ha e been concei ed as being a he hea o he de elopmen ’s
ision. They a e pu pose ully in ended o people o ha e con ac wi h hei neighbo s
and eel ha hey a e pa o a communi y. This inal p oposal balanced he
p ese a ion o a his o ical s uc u e wi h he need o mode n housing solu ions,
especially a ge ing young people who ace housing challenges in Ba celona.
66 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
MERZ, Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia
APRÈN
Fig. 13: ZARAVELI Z.,View o he in e io public space, 27 h Oc obe 2024
Fig. 14: HOFMEISTER S., U ban A chi ec u e and Communi y, Since 2010
“Rec ea ional spaces a e also pa o he complex, including a ou -s o ey hall o e ing
space o a local club o p ac ice he Ca alan na ional spo o cas elle s, in which eams
o a ound 20 men, women, and child en o m a human owe . The a chi ec 's goal was
o p ese e he cha ac e o he exis ing buildings as ai h ully as possible.”(Wessely
and Ho meis e 2023, 238). Wi hin he ame o he Fab a i Coa s indus ial complex,
which o me ly se ed as a s o age acili y, he cons uc ion o 46 social housing uni s
has been he inal design p oposal, he eby p ese ing he exis ing building’s s uc u e
and a chi ec u al design. Ha ing h ee di e en phases o isions his building ended
up ha ing 46 uni s dis ibu ed ac oss ou loo s, including 44 wo-bed oom
apa men s and 2 one-bed oom uni s speci ically designed o accessibili y. The p ojec
also includes communal spaces h ough he s ai cases and special ooms.
“The i s decision was o s ess he leng h o he wa ehouse: he access is placed a
he cen e , c ea ing an in e io squa e om which he s ai s depa in a double
ascending diagonal, connec ing he whole building physically and isually” (Roldán +
Be engué/A qui ec u a Vi a). The eno a ion plan o he Fab a i Coa s wa ehouse
ocuses on p ese ing he building's o iginal leng h. The main en ance o ms an
in e io squa e a he cen e , which is he co e o he a ea. This design connec s he
building's ci cula ion bo h isually and physically using a double diagonal s ai case ha
ises upwa ds. The aim is o keep a uni ied eel while changing om he wa ehouse's
indus ial pas o he new esiden ial spaces.
“The imbe dwelling modules ex end o e ou loo s in wha was once a wo-s o ey
block. They a e se back om he old hick b ick wall on bo h sides, c ea ing a
ou -s o ey ai space acing he s ee ha doubles as a clima e bu e . The side acing
he cou ya d has co e ed walkways ha se e less as a ci cula ion a ea bu ac mo e
like a ca walk, a liminal zone be ween inside and ou side. I also unc ions somewha
like a shop window, o e ing a clea iew h ough he o me ac o y’s la ge windows,
whose glass has now been eplaced by a hin wi e mesh.”(Wessely and Ho meis e
67
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
Fig. 13: ZARAVELI Z.,View o he in e io public space, 27 h Oc obe 2024
Fig. 14: HOFMEISTER S., U ban A chi ec u e and Communi y, Since 2010
“Rec ea ional spaces a e also pa o he complex, including a ou -s o ey hall o e ing
space o a local club o p ac ice he Ca alan na ional spo o cas elle s, in which eams
o a ound 20 men, women, and child en o m a human owe . The a chi ec 's goal was
o p ese e he cha ac e o he exis ing buildings as ai h ully as possible.”(Wessely
and Ho meis e 2023, 238). Wi hin he ame o he Fab a i Coa s indus ial complex,
which o me ly se ed as a s o age acili y, he cons uc ion o 46 social housing uni s
has been he inal design p oposal, he eby p ese ing he exis ing building’s s uc u e
and a chi ec u al design. Ha ing h ee di e en phases o isions his building ended
up ha ing 46 uni s dis ibu ed ac oss ou loo s, including 44 wo-bed oom
apa men s and 2 one-bed oom uni s speci ically designed o accessibili y. The p ojec
also includes communal spaces h ough he s ai cases and special ooms.
“The i s decision was o s ess he leng h o he wa ehouse: he access is placed a
he cen e , c ea ing an in e io squa e om which he s ai s depa in a double
ascending diagonal, connec ing he whole building physically and isually” (Roldán +
Be engué/A qui ec u a Vi a). The eno a ion plan o he Fab a i Coa s wa ehouse
ocuses on p ese ing he building's o iginal leng h. The main en ance o ms an
in e io squa e a he cen e , which is he co e o he a ea. This design connec s he
building's ci cula ion bo h isually and physically using a double diagonal s ai case ha
ises upwa ds. The aim is o keep a uni ied eel while changing om he wa ehouse's
indus ial pas o he new esiden ial spaces.
“The imbe dwelling modules ex end o e ou loo s in wha was once a wo-s o ey
block. They a e se back om he old hick b ick wall on bo h sides, c ea ing a
ou -s o ey ai space acing he s ee ha doubles as a clima e bu e . The side acing
he cou ya d has co e ed walkways ha se e less as a ci cula ion a ea bu ac mo e
like a ca walk, a liminal zone be ween inside and ou side. I also unc ions somewha
like a shop window, o e ing a clea iew h ough he o me ac o y’s la ge windows,
whose glass has now been eplaced by a hin wi e mesh.”(Wessely and Ho meis e
2023, 238). E e y e o is made o espec he exis ing building, so an independen and
ligh weigh in e io s uc u e made o wood has been p oposed. In o de o p ese e a
deg ee o sepa a ion om he cu en açade, ou s o eys ha e been inhabi ed. The
ins alla ion o imbe dwelling modules inside he p e-exis ing wo-s o y block is a
signi ican a chi ec u al de ice ha makes possible he ex ension o ou loo s wi hou
di ec ly a ec ing he o iginal s uc u e o he building. By pushing he new modules
inwa d om he solid b ick cache walls, a ou -s o y s ee - acing ca i y is o med
which plays he ole o a clima e bu e . ”To achie e his a wood s uc u e is used, i e
imes ligh e han a s eel one o a oid exceeding he 1,000 kg/m² load-bea ing capaci y
o he o iginal wa ehouse. The ame imbe s uc u e is based on he old s eel
s uc u es used o shel e h ead”. (Roldán + Be engué/A qui ec u a Vi a)
This is a unique me hod o keeping he o iginal wo loo s o he exis ing wa ehouse.
These loo s, hough no s eng hened, suppo wo new esiden ial le els buil wi h a
ligh weigh wood ame. Ins ead o s a ing om sc a ch, he design aims o make he
mos o wha 's al eady in place. By ins alling new, ligh weigh wooden loo s, he
a chi ec s made su e he o iginal building's weigh limi wasn' su passed. Using wood
in he new s uc u e, which is i e imes ligh e han s eel, is bo h p ac ical and
meaning ul—i links he space's pas indus ial use wi h i s new ole.
Fig. 15: HOFMEISTER S, U ban A chi ec u e and Communi y, Since 2010
“Neighbou s’ con e sa ions a e audible in he hallway, along wi h he cla e o keys
when esiden s open he doo o hei apa men s. Me al g illes p o ec agains
in ude s and p o ide all p o ec ion while allowing esh ai o sweep h ough he
building. Inside he dwellings, he a chi ec s ins alled s u dy secu i y g illes in on o
he loo - o-ceiling windows, allowing bu gla -p oo c oss- en ila ion e en when no
one is home.”(Wessely and Ho meis e 2023, 238). By os e ing an ambien awa eness
o o he people's exis ence, he sounds o neighbo s alking and opening hei doo s
demons a e a deg ee o acous ic pe meabili y ha may imp o e social in e ac ion.
Also wi hou sac i icing ai low, he a chi ec s also p io i ized secu i y. Ins alling me al
g illes a en yways and on loo - o-ceiling windows accomplishes wo goals: i ensu es
sa e y and p e en s in ude s while pe mi ing c oss- en ila ion.
68 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
MERZ, Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia
APRÈN
The ans o ma ion o he Fab a i Coa s ac o y in o a housing p ojec can be
conside ed a good case o how adap i e euse can be employed o sol e con empo a y
issues wi hou comp omising his o y. The plan's s ep-by-s ep g ow h— om he ini ial
ision in 2009 o he las 2015 design by Roldán + Be engué A chi ec s—aimed o keep
he si e's ac o y cha ac e while changing i s s uc u e o mode n li ing. The new
addi ion o communal a eas like mul i-use ooms, hallways, and cul u al spaces
encou ages he esiden s o in e ac wi h each o he building a s onge communi y
eeling among hem. Using ligh wood uni s inside he old ac o y building shows a
desi e o keep he s uc u e's o iginal cha ac e while mee ing oday's needs. Design
ea u es such as he doubled heigh spaces, c oss- en ila ion sys ems, and clima e
con ols poin o a ca e ul app oach o bo h en i onmen al and social equi emen s.
This well- hough -ou app oach led o a well- ounded answe ha o e ed 46 homes,
spaces o cul u e, and places o he communi y o ga he . I made a place o li e ha
espec s he building's his o y while mee ing oday's needs.
In summa y, his p ojec no only kep he a chi ec u al and his o ical ea u es o he
old ex ile ac o y bu also c ea i ely ans o med i in o a sus ainable and socially
in eg a ed li ing space. By adding cul u al a eas and design ea u es i ound a balance
be ween showing he building's indus ial his o y and mee ing he p i a e needs o i s
esiden s. This c ea ed a special example o u ban enewal in his o ic se ings. The
p ojec shows a balanced mix o p o ec ing a chi ec u al his o y and c ea ing u ban
design wi h a communi y- ocused app oach ha conside s he needs o esiden s.
SUSTAINABILITY
Nowadays, sus ainabili y is one o he undamen al p inciples in all de elopmen and
ehabili a ion o a chi ec u al s uc u es. Sus ainable a chi ec u e seeks no only o
p o ec he en i onmen bu also o ensu e social and economic well-being. This is a
opic ha in i es e lec ion and collabo a ion, no only om a chi ec s, bu also om
enginee s, u ban planne s and he communi y i sel , who, wo king oge he , can mo e
owa ds a mo e sus ainable and balanced u u e.
In his sense, i is impo an o e lec on he ela ionship be ween clima e change
and he ci y, as he way we design, build and inhabi ou spaces has a di ec impac on
he plane and ou quali y o li e.
Sus ainabili y in a chi ec u e in ol es aspec s ha go beyond he selec ion o
eco- iendly ma e ials o he implemen a ion o e icien echnologies. I is a holis ic
app oach ha conside s he en i e li e cycle o a building: om i s concep ion and
cons uc ion o i s use, main enance and e en ual euse o ecycling. The aim is o
minimize en i onmen al impac , educe ene gy consump ion and use na u al
esou ces in a conscious and esponsible way.
This ans o ma ion equi es empa hy and sha ed esponsibili y, whe e e e y ac o -
om p o essionals o ci izens - plays an ac i e ole in building a sus ainable u u e. By
69
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
The ans o ma ion o he Fab a i Coa s ac o y in o a housing p ojec can be
conside ed a good case o how adap i e euse can be employed o sol e con empo a y
issues wi hou comp omising his o y. The plan's s ep-by-s ep g ow h— om he ini ial
ision in 2009 o he las 2015 design by Roldán + Be engué A chi ec s—aimed o keep
he si e's ac o y cha ac e while changing i s s uc u e o mode n li ing. The new
addi ion o communal a eas like mul i-use ooms, hallways, and cul u al spaces
encou ages he esiden s o in e ac wi h each o he building a s onge communi y
eeling among hem. Using ligh wood uni s inside he old ac o y building shows a
desi e o keep he s uc u e's o iginal cha ac e while mee ing oday's needs. Design
ea u es such as he doubled heigh spaces, c oss- en ila ion sys ems, and clima e
con ols poin o a ca e ul app oach o bo h en i onmen al and social equi emen s.
This well- hough -ou app oach led o a well- ounded answe ha o e ed 46 homes,
spaces o cul u e, and places o he communi y o ga he . I made a place o li e ha
espec s he building's his o y while mee ing oday's needs.
In summa y, his p ojec no only kep he a chi ec u al and his o ical ea u es o he
old ex ile ac o y bu also c ea i ely ans o med i in o a sus ainable and socially
in eg a ed li ing space. By adding cul u al a eas and design ea u es i ound a balance
be ween showing he building's indus ial his o y and mee ing he p i a e needs o i s
esiden s. This c ea ed a special example o u ban enewal in his o ic se ings. The
p ojec shows a balanced mix o p o ec ing a chi ec u al his o y and c ea ing u ban
design wi h a communi y- ocused app oach ha conside s he needs o esiden s.
SUSTAINABILITY
Nowadays, sus ainabili y is one o he undamen al p inciples in all de elopmen and
ehabili a ion o a chi ec u al s uc u es. Sus ainable a chi ec u e seeks no only o
p o ec he en i onmen bu also o ensu e social and economic well-being. This is a
opic ha in i es e lec ion and collabo a ion, no only om a chi ec s, bu also om
enginee s, u ban planne s and he communi y i sel , who, wo king oge he , can mo e
owa ds a mo e sus ainable and balanced u u e.
In his sense, i is impo an o e lec on he ela ionship be ween clima e change
and he ci y, as he way we design, build and inhabi ou spaces has a di ec impac on
he plane and ou quali y o li e.
Sus ainabili y in a chi ec u e in ol es aspec s ha go beyond he selec ion o
eco- iendly ma e ials o he implemen a ion o e icien echnologies. I is a holis ic
app oach ha conside s he en i e li e cycle o a building: om i s concep ion and
cons uc ion o i s use, main enance and e en ual euse o ecycling. The aim is o
minimize en i onmen al impac , educe ene gy consump ion and use na u al
esou ces in a conscious and esponsible way.
This ans o ma ion equi es empa hy and sha ed esponsibili y, whe e e e y ac o -
om p o essionals o ci izens - plays an ac i e ole in building a sus ainable u u e. By
adop ing mo e conscious and espec ul a chi ec u al p ac ices, we no only
con ibu e o p o ec ing he en i onmen , bu also o imp o ing ou ci ies and
communi ies, p omo ing a mo e espec ul and balanced coexis ence be ween
humans and na u e.
In his ex , we will add ess sus ainabili y in Fab a i coa s ehab. p ojec by in oducing
RP and TH ideas o he discussion.
Fo example, o RP sus means…"Sus ainabili y is abou building wi h he u u e in
mind, no jus he physical s eng h o a building, bu also i s s ylis ic s eng h, he
uses o he u u e and he esilience o he plane i sel and i s ene gy esou ces".
(Piano 1999, 25). On he o he hand, He zog s a es ha "Sus ainabili y co e s a wide
ange o issues: choosing and sou cing ma e ials, he amoun o ene gy needed o
anspo and inish hem, building cons uc ion p ocesses, hei he mal
pe o mance a ing, he amoun o ene gy needed o keep hem unning,
main enance p ocesses, du abili y, in e nal lexibili y in e ms o use, adap abili y o
new echnologies in he supply, disposal and elecommunica ions sec o s, sui abili y
o disman ling and possible e-e ec ion, he con e sion and ecycling possibili ies;
bu o cou se in pa icula , sui abili y o he use o sola ene gy o he pu poses o
hea ing, cooling, o using dayligh , and gene a ing elec ici y. The ques ion is how o
exploi his po en ial. I is a ac ha he amoun o ene gy consumed o mee
buildings’ he mal needs is al eady a qua e o a i h o wha was achie ed only a
ew yea s ago. Ul ima ely i is no abou an Olympic discipline, bu abou looking a
he ma e as a whole and sa ing ene gy d ama ically, o using sola ene gy. So we
mus apply he way we look a ene gy o a single building o whole owns and ci ies,
and ake a simila app oach o ha used in he single building ield: no e all he
ele an ac o s, unde s and how hey in e ac , and de elop new models ha can be
in eg a ed in o he exis ing sys em. I would pa icula ly like o wa n agains belie ing
ha he e a e ecipes o his. Ci ies indeed sha e some basic phenomena, bu hese
a y g ea ly in hei quali y and in e nal ela ions. In any ci y i is abou he buildings,
bu also abou he a ic gene a ed by own planning, supply and disposal sys ems,
po en ial ene gy sou ces, op ions o changing he s a us quo, and a g ea deal mo e. I
am con inced ha a chi ec s ha e a key ole o play in he ex emely complex ield o
he wo ld-wide ecological c isis, because his impac s di ec ly on hei p o essional
esponsibili y. When all is said and done abou 40% o p ima y ene gy is used o
building and unning buildings, a leas in Cen al Eu ope.” (Con al-Cha annes Re edin
2009, 7).
Applied o he case s udy, he Fab a i Coa s p ojec ep esen s how a holis ic app oach
can be econciled wi h he conse a ion o his o ical he i age, he ci y o oday and
sus ainabili y. The ehabili a ion p ojec is no limi ed o e i alizing he space o u n
i in o a cul u al and social cen e . In addi ion, he a chi ec s in eg a ed sus ainable
s a egies in h ee dimensions: en i onmen al, social and economic.

70 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
MERZ, Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia
APRÈN
F om he en i onmen al poin o iew, wo undamen al ideas we e o conse e and
adap . The aim o he ehabili a ion is o minimize he ecological impac , so he
a chi ec s decided o conse e he o iginal building, and o minimize he addi ion o
new ma e ials. The exis ing s uc u e was adap ed o mee cu en ene gy e iciency
s anda ds, imp o ing he mal insula ion and allowing e icien use o na u al ligh by
enla ging he o iginal windows. In addi ion, a c oss- en ila ion sys em was ins alled,
which educes eliance on mechanical sys ems by hal . The use o ecycled and local
ma e ials no only educed he ca bon oo p in o he p ojec bu also espec ed he
essence o he building. In his way, i is e iden how a sus ainable app oach can go
hand in hand wi h he i age conse a ion.
In e ms o he social dimension, Roldán and Be engué designed he p ojec wi h he
idea o being an inclusi e and mul i unc ional space. Wi h Fab a i Coa s, a cul u al
cen e , cowo king, wo kshop and esidency space, cohabi a ion be ween a di e si y o
use s is encou aged. This case s udy e eals how sus ainabili y implies no only a
echnical s a egy bu also he capaci y o a building o in eg a e in o he u ban social
ab ic by adap ing o eal and changing needs. Howe e , a c ucial ques ion may a ise
he e: can such spaces, designed as engines o social in eg a ion, main ain hei
ele ance and u ili y o e ime, o do hey isk becoming obsole e and disconnec ed
om he eal needs o he communi y? This is whe e we can emphasize he concep s
o sus ainabili y men ioned abo e, unde s anding ha sus ainabili y no only implies
designing o he p esen , bu also ensu ing he adap abili y and esilience o hese
spaces in he ace o u u e challenges. Aiming o c ea e en i onmen s ha emain
unc ional and signi ican o e ime, being able o e ol e along wi h social, economic
and en i onmen al dynamics, wi hou comp omising he quali y o li e o cu en and
u u e gene a ions.
Finally, om an economic poin o iew, his p ojec di e si ies he uses o he
building, such as cul u al spaces, o ices, and wo kshops, in o de o ensu e a
managemen model ha gene a es i s own income and educes dependence on
public subsidies. Such unc ional e sa ili y ensu es he economic iabili y o he
space o e ime, making Fab a i Coa s an example ha can be eplica ed in o he
in e en ions in he ci y. Howe e , o a p ojec like his o ha e a uly ans o ma i e
impac , i is also necessa y o con inually assess i s e ec on he su ounding
communi ies. Sha ed spaces mus be able o change dynamically o a oid becoming
isola ed and eli is encla es ha do no e lec he eal needs o he ci y. Thus, he
economic dimension canno be sepa a ed om he o he wo pilla s, as sus ainabili y
depends on he equal in e ac ion be ween he h ee.
71
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
F om he en i onmen al poin o iew, wo undamen al ideas we e o conse e and
adap . The aim o he ehabili a ion is o minimize he ecological impac , so he
a chi ec s decided o conse e he o iginal building, and o minimize he addi ion o
new ma e ials. The exis ing s uc u e was adap ed o mee cu en ene gy e iciency
s anda ds, imp o ing he mal insula ion and allowing e icien use o na u al ligh by
enla ging he o iginal windows. In addi ion, a c oss- en ila ion sys em was ins alled,
which educes eliance on mechanical sys ems by hal . The use o ecycled and local
ma e ials no only educed he ca bon oo p in o he p ojec bu also espec ed he
essence o he building. In his way, i is e iden how a sus ainable app oach can go
hand in hand wi h he i age conse a ion.
In e ms o he social dimension, Roldán and Be engué designed he p ojec wi h he
idea o being an inclusi e and mul i unc ional space. Wi h Fab a i Coa s, a cul u al
cen e , cowo king, wo kshop and esidency space, cohabi a ion be ween a di e si y o
use s is encou aged. This case s udy e eals how sus ainabili y implies no only a
echnical s a egy bu also he capaci y o a building o in eg a e in o he u ban social
ab ic by adap ing o eal and changing needs. Howe e , a c ucial ques ion may a ise
he e: can such spaces, designed as engines o social in eg a ion, main ain hei
ele ance and u ili y o e ime, o do hey isk becoming obsole e and disconnec ed
om he eal needs o he communi y? This is whe e we can emphasize he concep s
o sus ainabili y men ioned abo e, unde s anding ha sus ainabili y no only implies
designing o he p esen , bu also ensu ing he adap abili y and esilience o hese
spaces in he ace o u u e challenges. Aiming o c ea e en i onmen s ha emain
unc ional and signi ican o e ime, being able o e ol e along wi h social, economic
and en i onmen al dynamics, wi hou comp omising he quali y o li e o cu en and
u u e gene a ions.
Finally, om an economic poin o iew, his p ojec di e si ies he uses o he
building, such as cul u al spaces, o ices, and wo kshops, in o de o ensu e a
managemen model ha gene a es i s own income and educes dependence on
public subsidies. Such unc ional e sa ili y ensu es he economic iabili y o he
space o e ime, making Fab a i Coa s an example ha can be eplica ed in o he
in e en ions in he ci y. Howe e , o a p ojec like his o ha e a uly ans o ma i e
impac , i is also necessa y o con inually assess i s e ec on he su ounding
communi ies. Sha ed spaces mus be able o change dynamically o a oid becoming
isola ed and eli is encla es ha do no e lec he eal needs o he ci y. Thus, he
economic dimension canno be sepa a ed om he o he wo pilla s, as sus ainabili y
depends on he equal in e ac ion be ween he h ee.
Fig. 16: SURROCA J., The o me ya n ci cula ion space has been con e ed in o an ai ci cula ion space,
2019
In conclusion, sus ainabili y in a chi ec u e no only encompasses he choice o
e icien ma e ials and echnologies, bu in ol es a holis ic app oach ha conside s
en i onmen al, social and economic aspec s h oughou he li e cycle o buildings.
P ojec s such as Fab a i Coa s demons a e how ehabili a ion can be a ool o
encou age social in eg a ion, p ese e he i age and ensu e long- e m economic
iabili y. Howe e , i is essen ial ha hese spaces a e dynamic and able o adap o
change, ha hey main ain hei ele ance o e ime, a oiding obsolescence and
con inuously esponding o he changing needs o he communi y.
CONCLUSION
The ehabili a ion o indus ial complexes such as Fab a i Coa s in Ba celona
demons a es he po en ial o a chi ec u al he i age o adap o con empo a y u ban
dynamics wi hou losing i s his o ical iden i y. By combining he p ese a ion o
indus ial he i age wi h cul u al, social and housing p og ams, such in e en ions can
become ca alys s o social inclusion, u ban esilience and sus ainable de elopmen .
The inco po a ion o social housing, in pa icula , seems o be a key ac o in ensu ing
ha hese p ojec s no only ans o m he u ban ab ic bu also add ess he eal needs
o he local popula ion, p omo ing a mo e accessible and equi able ci y.
In his sense, we can say ha he e i aliza ion o Fab a i Coa s is ein o ced by he
ac i e in ol emen o he communi y, which esona es wi h he p inciples o his o ical
wo ke s' s uggles, whe e he pa icipa ion o wo ke s and he communi y is essen ial
72 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
MERZ, Anas asia, MATELLO, Ca la, VIALEY, Fede ico, MENCHINI, Rebecca and ZARAVELLI, Zog a ia
APRÈN
o de ine social di ec ion. This p ocess o ans o ma ion can be in e p e ed as
emblema ic o cu en s uggles o social equi y, access o cul u e and he i age
conse a ion. Likewise, he his o y o he wo ke s' s uggle in Fab a i Coa s and i s
e olu ion in o a cul u al cen e a e deeply in e wined, as bo h highligh he ele ance
o communi y, collec i e memo y and he yea ning o build a mo e equi able and
pa icipa o y u u e. In he cu en con ex o clima e eme gency, sus ainabili y can be
conside ed as he nex s ep o his p ocess and a ele an p inciple o u u e social and
economic de elopmen . The eco e y o his space, h ough euse and u ban
egene a ion p ac ices, e lec s a commi men o en i onmen al ca e and he c ea ion
o a mo e esponsible ci y model.
Fab a i Coa s can be conside ed as a pa adigma ic case ha e eals bo h he
oppo uni ies and challenges o indus ial he i age ehabili a ion. While hese ypes o
ans o ma ions o e inno a i e esponses o u ban issues such as densi y and access
o cul u al and social esou ces, hey mus also be c i ically ques ioned in e ms o hei
inclusi e and sus ainable impac .
Such in e en ions can emind us ha socially esponsible a chi ec u al ehabili a ions
a e no limi ed o he ma e ial escue o buildings, bu also add ess e i aliza ion and
he ela ionship be ween space and communi y, c ea ing li ing places ha espond o
he changing expe iences o he con empo a y ci y and p ese e i s memo y o
coming gene a ions.
The u u e o hese ini ia i es seems o lie in hei abili y o be lexible, e e sible and
pa icipa o y, p omo ing a mo e cohesi e, di e se ci y ha is p epa ed o ace he
u ban challenges o he 21s cen u y.
73
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om ex ile o social housing: Fab a i Coa s, he challenge o con empo a y u ban in eg a ion APRÈN
o de ine social di ec ion. This p ocess o ans o ma ion can be in e p e ed as
emblema ic o cu en s uggles o social equi y, access o cul u e and he i age
conse a ion. Likewise, he his o y o he wo ke s' s uggle in Fab a i Coa s and i s
e olu ion in o a cul u al cen e a e deeply in e wined, as bo h highligh he ele ance
o communi y, collec i e memo y and he yea ning o build a mo e equi able and
pa icipa o y u u e. In he cu en con ex o clima e eme gency, sus ainabili y can be
conside ed as he nex s ep o his p ocess and a ele an p inciple o u u e social and
economic de elopmen . The eco e y o his space, h ough euse and u ban
egene a ion p ac ices, e lec s a commi men o en i onmen al ca e and he c ea ion
o a mo e esponsible ci y model.
Fab a i Coa s can be conside ed as a pa adigma ic case ha e eals bo h he
oppo uni ies and challenges o indus ial he i age ehabili a ion. While hese ypes o
ans o ma ions o e inno a i e esponses o u ban issues such as densi y and access
o cul u al and social esou ces, hey mus also be c i ically ques ioned in e ms o hei
inclusi e and sus ainable impac .
Such in e en ions can emind us ha socially esponsible a chi ec u al ehabili a ions
a e no limi ed o he ma e ial escue o buildings, bu also add ess e i aliza ion and
he ela ionship be ween space and communi y, c ea ing li ing places ha espond o
he changing expe iences o he con empo a y ci y and p ese e i s memo y o
coming gene a ions.
The u u e o hese ini ia i es seems o lie in hei abili y o be lexible, e e sible and
pa icipa o y, p omo ing a mo e cohesi e, di e se ci y ha is p epa ed o ace he
u ban challenges o he 21s cen u y.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BARATECH PENINA Mai e. 2003. Coa s Fab a 100 anos de his o ia. Ba celona.
In e p ess, Coa s Fab a S.A. ISBN 84-89038-19-8. A ailable a :
h ps://disco e y.upc.edu/disco e y/ ulldisplay? id=34CSUC_UPC:VU1&id=991022295
049706706&ins =34CSUC_NETWORK&con ex =L
CONARQUITECTURA EDICIONES S.L., Ap il 2020. Cona qui ec u a n.74. Cul o y Ocio, pp.
89-96. A ailable a : h ps://cona qui ec u a.es/ e is a/ca74-ab il-2020-cul o-y-ocio/
CONTAL-CHAVANNES Ma ie-Hélène, REVEDIN Jana, 2009. Sus ainable design. Towa ds
a New E hic in A chi ec u e and Town Planning. pp.7. Bi khause Ve lag AG. ISBN
978-3-0346-0876-3. A ailable a :
h ps://www.ibe lib o.com/9783764399382/Sus ainable-Design-New-E hic-A chi ec u
e-3764399384/plp
CROOK Lizzie, 27 Ma ch 2024. Ba celona's "bes p ojec s a e being done in he ield o
social housing". Pa o Dezeen’s Social Housing Re i al. Online. Dezeen. A ailable a :
h ps://www.dezeen.com/2024/03/27/ba celona-social-housing- e i al/
DREY Sabine, HOFMEISTER Sand a, GOMÉZ-MORIANA Ra ael, KALTENBACH F ank,
KÁRÁSZ Lo enzo, LIESE Julia, PROKOPLJEVIĆJelena, WESSELY Heide, ZETTEL Ba ba a,
2023. Ba celona: U ban A chi ec u e and Communi y Since 2010. pp. 237, 238.
Ba celona. Edi ion De ail. ISBN 978-3-95553-607-7. A ailable a :
h ps://issuu.com/de ail-magazine/docs/978-3-95553-607-7-bk_ba celona_en_2023
DURMISEVIC Emma, 2019. Ci cula economy in cons uc ion design - S a egies o
e e sible buildings. pp. 5, 13, 22. Ne he lands. BAMB Conso ium.
ISBN 978-90-821-698-4-3. A ailable a :
h ps://www.bamb2020.eu/wp-con en /uploads/2019/05/Re e sible-Building-Design-
S a eges.pd
FABRA I COATS, 2017. Fàb ica de C eació de Ba celona. His o y. Ba celona: FÀBRICA DE
CREACIÓ DE BARCELONA. A ailable a :
h ps://www.ba celona.ca / ab aicoa s/es/quienes-somos/his o ia?any=1903
FACET Se gi, 2012. PFC: escola b essol I habi a ges de p o ecció o icial a Fab a i Coa s.
Ba celona. ISBN 978-84-608-1261-6. A ailable a :
h ps://upcommons.upc.edu/handle/2117/86298
FAYOS I MOLET Rica d, BARBAL Inmaculada, FRADLEY Elaine, 2011. Equipamen s.
L’o denació dels conjun s do acionals. Ba celona. Do ze examples. pp. 144 o 157, 165.
U banisme i ciu a . Ba celona. ISBN 978-84-9850-315-9. A ailable a :
h ps://ajun amen .ba celona.ca /ba celonallib es/es/lib os/equipamen s-lo denacio-d
els-conjun s-do acionals
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ASTORGA, Daniel, CARRERA, Vale ia, GONZALEZ, Ma ía Jacin a, KANUKOVA, Aleksand a, LAO, Manqi
APRÈN
accommoda ing a wide ange o household ypes. I s ands as a coun e poin o con en ional, igid
housing models, illus a ing he po en ial o a chi ec u e o emb ace change and mee he demands
o a apidly shi ing socie y. As Anna Puigjane (1980-) claims, “ his housing ype and no ion o
collec i e li e we e deeply unde s ood as a ool o social ans o ma ion, and hey emain highly
ele an o oday’s housing dilemmas, o e ing possible lessons o enewed domes ic p oposals o
he p esen .” (Lang Ho 2016, p.3).
Figu e 1. Maio. 22 Dwellings Housing Block in Ba celona [pho og aph]. Digi al e sion. 1777 x 2208 pixels and
72 dpi. Ba celona: Maio, 2016
2. Flexibili y
The 110 Rooms p ojec by MAIO se es as an example o a chi ec u al lexibili y, add essing he
g owing demand o adap able and sus ainable housing. The p ojec ocuses on c ea ing a uni e sally
unc ional space ha can accommoda e a ious uses while ackling p essing social and en i onmen al
challenges. By u ilizing a modula design composed o simila ooms, he p ojec o e s a amewo k
o spaces ha can be econ igu ed o combined o mee di e se needs. This adap abili y allows he
building o se e as housing, o ices, o s udios, p o iding long- e m e sa ili y. Addi ionally, his
app oach enhances he building’s du abili y by enabling unc ional changes o e ime.
The concep aligns wi h b oade discussions o lexibili y in a chi ec u e. Unlike adi ional no ions o
lexibili y in ol ing mo able pa i ions, his app oach ocuses on he po en ial o neu al, uni e sally
sized spaces o adap o a ious uses. The open layou encou ages esiden s o pe sonalize hei
spaces and os e s sha ed li ing expe iences, p omo ing a sense o communi y.
Flexible a chi ec u e o e s se e al oppo uni ies. Open layou s, o example, elimina e co ido s and
c ea e luid ansi ions be ween spaces, which s eng hens social connec ions. Fu he mo e,
modula i y op imizes space usage, making i possible o p o ide mo e a o dable housing solu ions in
u ban a eas whe e space is o en limi ed.
3

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F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
accommoda ing a wide ange o household ypes. I s ands as a coun e poin o con en ional, igid
housing models, illus a ing he po en ial o a chi ec u e o emb ace change and mee he demands
o a apidly shi ing socie y. As Anna Puigjane (1980-) claims, “ his housing ype and no ion o
collec i e li e we e deeply unde s ood as a ool o social ans o ma ion, and hey emain highly
ele an o oday’s housing dilemmas, o e ing possible lessons o enewed domes ic p oposals o
he p esen .” (Lang Ho 2016, p.3).
Figu e 1. Maio. 22 Dwellings Housing Block in Ba celona [pho og aph]. Digi al e sion. 1777 x 2208 pixels and
72 dpi. Ba celona: Maio, 2016
2. Flexibili y
The 110 Rooms p ojec by MAIO se es as an example o a chi ec u al lexibili y, add essing he
g owing demand o adap able and sus ainable housing. The p ojec ocuses on c ea ing a uni e sally
unc ional space ha can accommoda e a ious uses while ackling p essing social and en i onmen al
challenges. By u ilizing a modula design composed o simila ooms, he p ojec o e s a amewo k
o spaces ha can be econ igu ed o combined o mee di e se needs. This adap abili y allows he
building o se e as housing, o ices, o s udios, p o iding long- e m e sa ili y. Addi ionally, his
app oach enhances he building’s du abili y by enabling unc ional changes o e ime.
The concep aligns wi h b oade discussions o lexibili y in a chi ec u e. Unlike adi ional no ions o
lexibili y in ol ing mo able pa i ions, his app oach ocuses on he po en ial o neu al, uni e sally
sized spaces o adap o a ious uses. The open layou encou ages esiden s o pe sonalize hei
spaces and os e s sha ed li ing expe iences, p omo ing a sense o communi y.
Flexible a chi ec u e o e s se e al oppo uni ies. Open layou s, o example, elimina e co ido s and
c ea e luid ansi ions be ween spaces, which s eng hens social connec ions. Fu he mo e,
modula i y op imizes space usage, making i possible o p o ide mo e a o dable housing solu ions in
u ban a eas whe e space is o en limi ed.
3
Figu e 2. Fo na i, L . 22 In e nal a angemen s o 50x50 a ia ions, based on Mies Van de Rohe d awings
[d awings]. Digi al e sion. 3300x 840 pixels and 72 dpi. B asil : A qui ex os, 2011
Howe e , implemen ing such lexibili y p esen s challenges. De eloping uni e sal sys ems o
plumbing, en ila ion, and o he u ili ies can be echnically complex. Legal es ic ions, such as zoning
laws and building codes, o en limi how spaces can be used o adap ed. The high ini ial cons uc ion
cos s associa ed wi h such p ojec s can de e de elope s, who may also esis he concep due o a
p e e ence o ma ke -d i en designs ha a o u no e and sales. Addi ionally, esiden s may ind i
psychologically di icul o adap o lexible, open layou s, which di e ge om adi ional housing
no ms.
The global ele ance o lexible housing is unde sco ed by signi ican ends. U baniza ion and
housing c ises in many majo ci ies ha e led o soa ing housing cos s and a sca ci y o space, equi ing
inno a i e solu ions like lexible layou s. Mode n household s uc u es a e becoming mo e di e se,
encompassing single p o essionals, mul igene a ional amilies, and elde ly popula ions, all o whom
equi e adap able li ing en i onmen s. Flexible spaces also p omo e social inclusion by encou aging
sha ed li ing and communi y engagemen , coun e ing he isola ion o en associa ed wi h adi ional
housing.
This emphasis on lexibili y aligns wi h b oade a chi ec u al s a egies, such as adap i e euse, which
seeks o epu pose exis ing s uc u es o mee con empo a y needs while p ese ing hei his o ical
and cul u al alue. Despi e i s ad an ages, he “simila ooms” concep has limi a ions. Fixed u ili y
zones such as ki chens and ba h ooms canno be easily eloca ed, which es ic s he ull po en ial o
lexibili y. P i a e de elope s may p io i ize sho - e m ma ke goals o e long- e m adap abili y,
limi ing he widesp ead adop ion o such designs. Addi ionally, ou da ed egula o y amewo ks in
many coun ies hinde he implemen a ion o inno a i e housing models, u he complica ing e o s
o in eg a e lexible spaces in o mains eam a chi ec u e.
Ba celona’s housing c isis illus a es he impo ance o lexibili y in add essing complex u ban
challenges. Wi h ising housing cos s, gen i ica ion, and a specula i e eal es a e ma ke , he ci y
aces signi ican di icul ies in p o iding a o dable, inclusi e housing. Flexibili y eme ges as a c ucial
p inciple in designing solu ions ha espond o hese in e connec ed issues and adap o he e ol ing
needs o esiden s. Acco ding o he book Con empo a y Co-housing in Eu ope, he housing c isis in
Ba celona e lec s global pa e ns exace ba ed by he 2008 inancial c ash, which in ensi ied he
commodi ica ion o housing and educed access o a o dable homes.
4
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ASTORGA, Daniel, CARRERA, Vale ia, GONZALEZ, Ma ía Jacin a, KANUKOVA, Aleksand a, LAO, Manqi
APRÈN
Flexible housing models, such as co-li ing a angemen s, ha e gained ac ion in Ba celona as
inno a i e al e na i es o adi ional housing. These models combine sha ed and p i a e spaces,
os e ing a sense o communi y while allowing indi iduals o ailo hei li ing en i onmen s o hei
pe sonal needs. Fo example, co-li ing spaces like La Bo da (Figu e 3) p o ide non-specula i e
coope a i e owne ship s uc u es, ensu ing long- e m a o dabili y while accommoda ing di e se
household ypes, om singles o mul i-gene a ional amilies. The book highligh s how hese p ojec s
also coun e ac he specula i e na u e o he housing ma ke , o e ing s able and inclusi e housing
op ions o hose mos a ec ed by economic ins abili y.
Figu e 3. La Bo da. Unknown [digi al d awing]. 976x768 pixels and 300 dpi size. Digi al e sion. Ba celona: Laco,
2018.
U ban policies in Ba celona ha e also emb aced lexibili y o add ess he housing c isis. The ci y’s
egula ion o sho - e m en al pla o ms exempli ies an adap i e app oach, aiming o balance he
economic bene i s o ou ism wi h he housing needs o esiden s. Simila ly, he in oduc ion o
empo a y housing solu ions o displaced indi iduals and mixed-income de elopmen s e lec s a
commi men o c ea ing a mo e inclusi e and esponsi e u ban en i onmen . These policies, as
explo ed in he book, demons a e how a lexible go e nance amewo k can e ol e o mee he
immedia e and long- e m demands o u ban housing.
Economic lexibili y plays a i al ole in alle ia ing he inancial s ain on Ba celona’s esiden s.
Ini ia i es such as en - o-own schemes o subsidized housing p ojec s p o ide pa hways o
indi iduals o adap o hei inancial ci cums ances wi hou acing displacemen . Co-li ing spaces
u he enhance economic adap abili y by p omo ing esou ce sha ing—common a eas, u ili ies, and
sha ed ameni ies signi ican ly educe indi idual cos s while os e ing communi y esilience. The book
unde sco es ha hese esou ce-sha ing models no only add ess a o dabili y bu also s eng hen
social ies among esiden s, enhancing bo h social and economic sus ainabili y.
The design o u ban spaces also bene i s om lexibili y. Mul i-pu pose buildings ha in eg a e
esiden ial, comme cial, and ec ea ional unc ions add ess he di e se needs o ci y dwelle s while
educing u ban sp awl. En i onmen al housing, such as ene gy-e icien co-li ing p ojec s,
unde sco es he po en ial o adap i e a chi ec u e o minimize ecological oo p in s and espond o
5
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Flexible housing models, such as co-li ing a angemen s, ha e gained ac ion in Ba celona as
inno a i e al e na i es o adi ional housing. These models combine sha ed and p i a e spaces,
os e ing a sense o communi y while allowing indi iduals o ailo hei li ing en i onmen s o hei
pe sonal needs. Fo example, co-li ing spaces like La Bo da (Figu e 3) p o ide non-specula i e
coope a i e owne ship s uc u es, ensu ing long- e m a o dabili y while accommoda ing di e se
household ypes, om singles o mul i-gene a ional amilies. The book highligh s how hese p ojec s
also coun e ac he specula i e na u e o he housing ma ke , o e ing s able and inclusi e housing
op ions o hose mos a ec ed by economic ins abili y.
Figu e 3. La Bo da. Unknown [digi al d awing]. 976x768 pixels and 300 dpi size. Digi al e sion. Ba celona: Laco,
2018.
U ban policies in Ba celona ha e also emb aced lexibili y o add ess he housing c isis. The ci y’s
egula ion o sho - e m en al pla o ms exempli ies an adap i e app oach, aiming o balance he
economic bene i s o ou ism wi h he housing needs o esiden s. Simila ly, he in oduc ion o
empo a y housing solu ions o displaced indi iduals and mixed-income de elopmen s e lec s a
commi men o c ea ing a mo e inclusi e and esponsi e u ban en i onmen . These policies, as
explo ed in he book, demons a e how a lexible go e nance amewo k can e ol e o mee he
immedia e and long- e m demands o u ban housing.
Economic lexibili y plays a i al ole in alle ia ing he inancial s ain on Ba celona’s esiden s.
Ini ia i es such as en - o-own schemes o subsidized housing p ojec s p o ide pa hways o
indi iduals o adap o hei inancial ci cums ances wi hou acing displacemen . Co-li ing spaces
u he enhance economic adap abili y by p omo ing esou ce sha ing—common a eas, u ili ies, and
sha ed ameni ies signi ican ly educe indi idual cos s while os e ing communi y esilience. The book
unde sco es ha hese esou ce-sha ing models no only add ess a o dabili y bu also s eng hen
social ies among esiden s, enhancing bo h social and economic sus ainabili y.
The design o u ban spaces also bene i s om lexibili y. Mul i-pu pose buildings ha in eg a e
esiden ial, comme cial, and ec ea ional unc ions add ess he di e se needs o ci y dwelle s while
educing u ban sp awl. En i onmen al housing, such as ene gy-e icien co-li ing p ojec s,
unde sco es he po en ial o adap i e a chi ec u e o minimize ecological oo p in s and espond o
5
en i onmen al challenges. Acco ding o he book, Ba celona’s co-li ing p ojec s exempli y how spa ial
design can balance he dual goals o communi y-building and en i onmen al esponsibili y.
Whe he h ough inno a i e housing models, adap i e policies, o esou ce-e icien designs, lexible
app oaches enable he ci y o na iga e he p essu es o economic inequali y, u baniza ion, and
en i onmen al sus ainabili y. By p io i izing lexible solu ions, Ba celona no only add esses i s
immedia e housing challenges bu also builds a ounda ion o a mo e esilien and inclusi e u ban
u u e.
The 110 Rooms p ojec illus a es how a chi ec u e can espond o he e ol ing needs o u ban
socie ies by emb acing adap abili y. Howe e , o such concep s o gain b oade accep ance, i is
necessa y o o e come echnical, legal, and cul u al ba ie s. As global demog aphics and li es yles
con inue o shi , lexible housing holds p omise as a solu ion o u ban challenges, o e ing a pa hway
o mo e inclusi e, esilien , and u u e- eady li ing en i onmen s.
3. His o y o P eexis ing
Acco ding o Maio A chi ec s, (2016) “ 110 Rooms a e designed based on he exis ing domes ic
ypological adi ion o he Eixample in Ba celona, whe e he ooms a e dis ibu ed simila ly o how
hey we e a anged in he la e 19 h cen u y. Many o hese housing uni s ha e been modi ied bu
wi hou showing subs an ial changes.” (Figu e 4 and 5)
Figu e 4. Unknown au ho . View o he acade and dwelling ype p e-exis ing [pho og aph om a chi e].
Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona: Ajun amen o Ba celona , 2016
Figu e 5. Lao, M . Ac ual Facade [pho og aph om a chi e]. 3024 × 4032 size and 300 dpi . Ba celona: Lao,
2024
3.1 Eixample o Ba celona
The Eixample o Ba celona eme ged in he nine een h cen u y in esponse o he needs o he ime.
I s expansion was possible a e he demoli ion o he ci y walls (1854), which eed up space o
u ban de elopmen . The Ce dà Plan (1859) (Figu e 6), designed by Ilde ons Ce dà (1860-1897),
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sough o c ea e a mo e op imal ci y h ough wide s ee s and blocks wi h in e io cou ya ds o
ensu e be e li ing condi ions, al hough his egali a ian p oposal was no comple ely ul illed due o
eal es a e specula ion. (Co ominas Ayala, M., & Busque s, J. 2009)
The a chi ec u e o he Eixample is cha ac e ized by i s he i age, wi h a unique combina ion o
neoclassicis , eclec ic, a nou eau, mode nis and con empo a y buildings ha e lec i s his o ical
e olu ion. The s yle s ands ou among an u baniza ion ha also includes en al houses be ween pa y
walls, ypical o he p i a e ini ia i e ha d o e i s cons uc ion since 1863. The Municipal O dinances
o 1891 es ablished key ules o egula e cons uc ion, such as maximum heigh s and buildable dep h,
con ibu ing o he u ban complexi y o he neighbo hood (Sob equés i Callicó, J. 1991).
Today, he Eixample is a populous and di e se dis ic , whe e housing, s o es, o ices and cul u al
spaces coexis . I s squa es and ga dens o e places o social in e ac ion. The ans o ma ions in
housing du ing he 20 h cen u y, including changes in dis ibu ion and habi a ion, ha e ede ined he
inhabi an ˋs ela ionship wi h hei homes. As a poin o e e ence, Maio A chi ec s ha e chosen o
implemen an adap i e euse s a egy o p ese e wha is conside ed aluable wi hin he exis ing
con ex .
Figu e 6. Ce dà, I. Ba celona's su oundings plan be o e Plan Ce da. [Ink D awing on pape ]. 1984 × 1120 size
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: BCNROC, 1885.
3.2 Adap i e Reuse
Adap i e euse has been de ined as “The eno a ion and euse o p e-exis ing s uc u es o new
pu poses [...] he app ecia ion o he i age and e ol ing social needs” (Wong, 2022, p. 6-7). Taking his
in o accoun , adap i e euse may be conside ed o be oo ed in much o he his o y o mankind. Since
an iqui y, om he Romans onwa d, he euse o s uc u es and ma e ials o new buildings has been
a longs anding p ac ice. This adi ion has e ol ed o e ime and has gained e en g ea e signi icance
in ecen yea s, d i en by g owing global awa eness and conce n o en i onmen al sus ainabili y.
7
85
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F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
sough o c ea e a mo e op imal ci y h ough wide s ee s and blocks wi h in e io cou ya ds o
ensu e be e li ing condi ions, al hough his egali a ian p oposal was no comple ely ul illed due o
eal es a e specula ion. (Co ominas Ayala, M., & Busque s, J. 2009)
The a chi ec u e o he Eixample is cha ac e ized by i s he i age, wi h a unique combina ion o
neoclassicis , eclec ic, a nou eau, mode nis and con empo a y buildings ha e lec i s his o ical
e olu ion. The s yle s ands ou among an u baniza ion ha also includes en al houses be ween pa y
walls, ypical o he p i a e ini ia i e ha d o e i s cons uc ion since 1863. The Municipal O dinances
o 1891 es ablished key ules o egula e cons uc ion, such as maximum heigh s and buildable dep h,
con ibu ing o he u ban complexi y o he neighbo hood (Sob equés i Callicó, J. 1991).
Today, he Eixample is a populous and di e se dis ic , whe e housing, s o es, o ices and cul u al
spaces coexis . I s squa es and ga dens o e places o social in e ac ion. The ans o ma ions in
housing du ing he 20 h cen u y, including changes in dis ibu ion and habi a ion, ha e ede ined he
inhabi an ˋs ela ionship wi h hei homes. As a poin o e e ence, Maio A chi ec s ha e chosen o
implemen an adap i e euse s a egy o p ese e wha is conside ed aluable wi hin he exis ing
con ex .
Figu e 6. Ce dà, I. Ba celona's su oundings plan be o e Plan Ce da. [Ink D awing on pape ]. 1984 × 1120 size
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: BCNROC, 1885.
3.2 Adap i e Reuse
Adap i e euse has been de ined as “The eno a ion and euse o p e-exis ing s uc u es o new
pu poses [...] he app ecia ion o he i age and e ol ing social needs” (Wong, 2022, p. 6-7). Taking his
in o accoun , adap i e euse may be conside ed o be oo ed in much o he his o y o mankind. Since
an iqui y, om he Romans onwa d, he euse o s uc u es and ma e ials o new buildings has been
a longs anding p ac ice. This adi ion has e ol ed o e ime and has gained e en g ea e signi icance
in ecen yea s, d i en by g owing global awa eness and conce n o en i onmen al sus ainabili y.
7
Acco ding o Re A chi ec u e: Old and New in Adap i e Reuse o Mode n Indus ial He i age (Xue,
2018 pg.11), his app oach ede ines he alue o exis ing a chi ec u e by adap ing i o con empo a y
unc ions, elimina ing he need o comple e demoli ion o econs uc ion. I can be ca ego ized in o
wo ypes, based on Lilian Wong (2022) “Re u bishmen , which imp o es and upg ades an exis ing
s uc u e, and ans o ma ion, which in en ionally changes an exis ing s uc u e o gi e i a new
pu pose. In many ways, his di e en ia ion o euse p ojec ypes sheds ligh on he ecen ocus on
adap i e euse as p ojec s o ans o ma ion a he han cen u ies-old p ojec s o upg ades” (Figu e
7).
Figu e 7. Unknown au ho . The A les amphi hea e as a medie al housing communi y s The A les
amphi hea e oday as a ou is si e. [Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ba celona: Wong, L, 2022
Aldo Rossi discusses he concep o "locus," desc ibing i as he ela ionship be ween a speci ic
loca ion and he buildings wi hin i . This ela ionship is bo h unique and uni e sal, shaping he u ban
image. Acco ding o Rossi, a chi ec u e pe ades hese dynamics, imbuing he cons uc ed
en i onmen wi h meaning and alue. This connec ion a ises na u ally, as i is deeply embedded in
he human condi ion (Ka a oğlu, 2023). In essence, "locus" becomes a collec i e unde s anding,
deeply oo ed in ci ies and buildings, e ol ing wi h shi s in unc ion while main aining i s in insic
connec ion o place.
2.3 Genius Loci
Acco ding o N-Sc., Romans unde s ood genius loci. as... o he Romans is “belie e e y
"independen " being has i s genius, i s gua dian spi i . This spi i gi es li e o people and places,
accompanies hem om bi h o dea h, and de e mines hei cha ac e o essence o places”
(No be g-Schulz, 1980, p. 18 - 19), o Louis Khan “In pa icula he ecognized ha i is o g ea
exis en ial impo ance o come o e ms wi h he genius o he locali y whe e his li e akes place”
(No be g-Schulz, 1980, p. 18 - 19).
A chi ec u e, as No be g-Schulz explains, aims o isualize he genius loci by c ea ing meaning ul
places whe e humans can li e and connec . This in ol es analyzing a si e’s physical and en i onmen al
quali ies—i s ma e ial subs ance, o m, ex u e, and colo —which oge he de ine i s "en i onmen al
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cha ac e ", o essence. A place is a holis ic phenomenon ha canno be educed o any o i s
indi idual elemen s wi hou losing i s conc e e na u e. This unde s anding o e s a esh pe spec i e
on buil spaces, emphasizing hei ele ance o human iden i y and he p o ound sense o belonging
and alue ha a ises om ou in e ac ion wi h hese en i onmen s (Figu e 8).
Fo Rossi, he locus is essen ial o unde s anding u ban a i ac s, as i ep esen s he speci ic quali ies
and condi ions o he space. This concep emphasizes he ela ionship be ween a chi ec u e and i s
su oundings, highligh ing he impo ance o iden i ying he unique cha ac e o he place. I
highligh s ha he locus combines singula i y and uni e sali y, meaning ha each place has unique
cha ac e is ics, bu also esponds o uni e sal a chi ec u al p inciples. A balance mus be ound
be ween hese dimensions, designing spaces ha a e unique bu consis en wi h he o e all alues
and needs o he a chi ec u e (Ka a oğlu, 2023).
Finally, he locus is associa ed wi h pe sis ence o e ime and collec i e memo y. Rossi a gues ha
he o m o buildings can emain signi ican despi e changes in hei o iginal unc ions, acili a ing
hei euse. He also conside s he ci y as he locus whe e aces o he pas a e p ese ed and
communi y iden i y is buil , compa ing i o a hea e in which human e en s lea e ma ks in he
collec i e memo y (Ka a oğlu, 2023).
Figu e 8. Unknown au ho . Di e en housing ypologies, and ela ion wi h sense o belonging wi h he con ex .
[ Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ge many: No be g-Schulz, 1890.
The concep s o adap i e euse, locus, and genius loci a e deeply in e connec ed, as hey all add ess
he ela ionship be ween a chi ec u e, memo y, and he e ol ing needs o socie y. Adap i e euse
ocuses on p ese ing he his o ical and ma e ial essence o buildings by epu posing hem o
con empo a y unc ions. This p ac ice e lec s a commi men o sus ainabili y and cul u al con inui y,
ensu ing ha he physical s uc u es and hei embedded meanings emain ele an in changing
con ex s. This aligns wi h he no ion o he locus, as desc ibed by Aldo Rossi, which emphasizes he
unique iden i y o a place and i s endu ing connec ion o i s su oundings, e en when i s o iginal
unc ion is al e ed.
The genius loci, o "spi i o he place", complemen s hese ideas by highligh ing he in insic
cha ac e and essence o a loca ion, as unde s ood by bo h i s physical a ibu es and he expe iences
i os e s. Acco ding o No be g-Schulz, a chi ec u e’s ole is o ma e ialize his spi i , c ea ing spaces
ha esona e wi h human exis ence and iden i y. Adap i e euse exempli ies his p inciple by no only
p ese ing he genius loci bu also adap ing i o mee mode n demands. By doing so, i b idges he
pas and p esen , main aining a si e’s en i onmen al cha ac e while os e ing a sense o belonging
and connec ion o i s use s.
9
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Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
cha ac e ", o essence. A place is a holis ic phenomenon ha canno be educed o any o i s
indi idual elemen s wi hou losing i s conc e e na u e. This unde s anding o e s a esh pe spec i e
on buil spaces, emphasizing hei ele ance o human iden i y and he p o ound sense o belonging
and alue ha a ises om ou in e ac ion wi h hese en i onmen s (Figu e 8).
Fo Rossi, he locus is essen ial o unde s anding u ban a i ac s, as i ep esen s he speci ic quali ies
and condi ions o he space. This concep emphasizes he ela ionship be ween a chi ec u e and i s
su oundings, highligh ing he impo ance o iden i ying he unique cha ac e o he place. I
highligh s ha he locus combines singula i y and uni e sali y, meaning ha each place has unique
cha ac e is ics, bu also esponds o uni e sal a chi ec u al p inciples. A balance mus be ound
be ween hese dimensions, designing spaces ha a e unique bu consis en wi h he o e all alues
and needs o he a chi ec u e (Ka a oğlu, 2023).
Finally, he locus is associa ed wi h pe sis ence o e ime and collec i e memo y. Rossi a gues ha
he o m o buildings can emain signi ican despi e changes in hei o iginal unc ions, acili a ing
hei euse. He also conside s he ci y as he locus whe e aces o he pas a e p ese ed and
communi y iden i y is buil , compa ing i o a hea e in which human e en s lea e ma ks in he
collec i e memo y (Ka a oğlu, 2023).
Figu e 8. Unknown au ho . Di e en housing ypologies, and ela ion wi h sense o belonging wi h he con ex .
[ Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ge many: No be g-Schulz, 1890.
The concep s o adap i e euse, locus, and genius loci a e deeply in e connec ed, as hey all add ess
he ela ionship be ween a chi ec u e, memo y, and he e ol ing needs o socie y. Adap i e euse
ocuses on p ese ing he his o ical and ma e ial essence o buildings by epu posing hem o
con empo a y unc ions. This p ac ice e lec s a commi men o sus ainabili y and cul u al con inui y,
ensu ing ha he physical s uc u es and hei embedded meanings emain ele an in changing
con ex s. This aligns wi h he no ion o he locus, as desc ibed by Aldo Rossi, which emphasizes he
unique iden i y o a place and i s endu ing connec ion o i s su oundings, e en when i s o iginal
unc ion is al e ed.
The genius loci, o "spi i o he place", complemen s hese ideas by highligh ing he in insic
cha ac e and essence o a loca ion, as unde s ood by bo h i s physical a ibu es and he expe iences
i os e s. Acco ding o No be g-Schulz, a chi ec u e’s ole is o ma e ialize his spi i , c ea ing spaces
ha esona e wi h human exis ence and iden i y. Adap i e euse exempli ies his p inciple by no only
p ese ing he genius loci bu also adap ing i o mee mode n demands. By doing so, i b idges he
pas and p esen , main aining a si e’s en i onmen al cha ac e while os e ing a sense o belonging
and connec ion o i s use s.
9
Toge he , hese concep s o e a amewo k o unde s anding a chi ec u e as a dynamic and laye ed
p ac ice. Adap i e euse becomes a ool o p ese ing he locus and genius loci, ensu ing ha
a chi ec u e emains a meaning ul e lec ion o cul u al memo y and iden i y. This in e play in i es
u he e lec ion on how spaces can balance hei his o ical signi icance wi h con empo a y
ele ance, p o iding bo h unc ional u ili y and a deep, las ing connec ion o he human expe ience.
Such e lec ions align wi h he concep o genius loci, emphasizing he spi i o a place as an in eg al
elemen o a chi ec u al design. This challenges a chi ec s o na iga e he ension be ween
p ese ing he essence o a place and inno a ing o he u u e, os e ing en i onmen s ha a e bo h
sus ainable and emo ionally esonan .
5. Sea ching o a pa h o equi y
5.1. Changing U ban Social S uc u e
The Indus ial Re olu ion ma ked a signi ican shi in u ban demog aphics and li es yles, leading o
he apid u baniza ion and eme gence o new housing ypologies. By he la e 19 h cen u y, ci ies like
Ba celona expe ienced accele a ed popula ion g ow h and indus ializa ion. This was accompanied by
u ban planning ini ia i es, such as he Eixample Plan (1859) p oposed by Ilde ons Ce dà (1815 - 1876),
which aimed o alle ia e o e c owding and imp o e li ing condi ions h ough he in oduc ion o
sys ema ic g id layou s and cou ya ds.
By he 20 h cen u y, a chi ec u al design had e ol ed o add ess he shi ing socie al needs o he
ime. The Bauhaus mo emen p io i ized unc ional equali y, emphasizing s anda dized designs o
se e collec i e goals. In con as , Team X ad oca ed o lexibili y and human-cen ic design, c ea ing
spaces ha esponded o di e se beha io s and communi y needs (A chi ec uul, 2020). This
ansi ion e lec s a g owing ecogni ion o a chi ec u e as a dynamic amewo k o li ing, a he
han a ixed cons uc .
Simul aneously, b oade social and economic ac o s—including he comme cializa ion and
inancializa ion o housing, women’s empowe men , inc easingly di e se amily s uc u es, ansien
popula ions, an aging popula ion, and socie al agmen a ion—began eshaping mode n ci ies like
Ba celona (Rolando, 2022, p.158). These changes al e ed he dynamics o u ban li ing, placing g ea e
emphasis on he need o lexible and inclusi e housing solu ions. In ci ies like Ba celona, he
inc easing comme cializa ion and inancializa ion o housing u he exace ba ed dispa i ies in access
o a o dable li ing spaces. The emphasis on homeowne ship as he dominan housing model le
li le oom o al e na i e app oaches, disp opo iona ely a ec ing ulne able popula ions. These
sys emic challenges we e b ough in o sha p ocus du ing Spain’s 2008 inancial c isis, which exposed
c i ical weaknesses in he housing model and i s eliance on homeowne ship as he dominan
pa adigm.
Spain’s 2008 inancial c isis igge ed a p o ound housing a o dabili y c isis. Be ween 2008 and 2012,
mo e han 400,000 mo gages we e o eclosed h oughou Spain, which a ec ed housands o
households. By he end o 2012, 244,500 housing e ic ions had been ini ia ed, wi h nea ly 160,000
ca ied ou (Julie De Wee d and Ma isol Ga cia, 2016, p.15). This esul ed in he ise o housing
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mo emen s like he Pla a o ma de A ec ados po la Hipo eca (PAH), which ad oca ed o pushing
a o dable housing and sys emic change in legal e o m .
This socio-economic ans o ma ion, along wi h b oade socie al shi s, laid he ounda ion o a new
app oach o housing ha p io i izes communi y, a o dabili y, and sus ainabili y. This dynamic and
e ol ing pe spec i e e lec s a g owing socie al desi e o equi able, sus ainable, and
communi y-o ien ed li ing.
The "110 ROOMS" p ojec exempli ies how a chi ec u e can espond o changing socie al needs by
o e ing lexible layou s ha accommoda e di e se social a angemen s, om amilies o co-li ing
se ups. This adap abili y no only mee s unc ional equi emen s bu also os e s inclusi i y, b inging
oge he di e se g oups unde one oo . By challenging adi ional no ions o hie a chy, he p ojec
highligh s he po en ial o a chi ec u e o c ea e mo e democ a ic spaces. As socie ies e ol e, so do
he needs and desi es o hei inhabi an s; a uly democ a ic a chi ec u e emb aces hese shi s,
p io i izing lexibili y and au onomy o accommoda e di e se li es yles and social dynamics. In doing
so, i ensu es ha e e yone, ega dless o backg ound o ci cums ance, eels ep esen ed and
empowe ed wi hin he spaces hey inhabi .
5.1. Sha e ing he Spa ial Hie a chy
MAIO’s p ojec exempli ies a democ a ic app oach by elimina ing he adi ional hie a chy o spaces
in homes. In his design, simila modula ooms a e placed h oughou he building, empowe ing
esiden s o cus omize he layou and unc ionali y o hei apa men s based on pe sonal
p e e ences and e ol ing needs. Unlike con en ional homes, whe e li ing ooms and dining a eas a e
p io i ized and se ice spaces a e seconda y, his p ojec in ends o each equali y by ea ing e e y
oom wi h equal impo ance. Flexibili y is achie ed h ough he ambigui y o he space and i s
dimensions, encou aging esiden s o de e mine hei own spa ial usage. This app oach no only
challenges he no ms o esiden ial design bu also p omo es a sense o au onomy and equali y
wi hin he home.
Figu e 9. MAIO A chi ec s. Va ia ion o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee , CAD D awing. Digi al
e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. In: A qui ec u a Vi a [online].
Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe
Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
5.2.Rede inining Flexibili y
11
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mo emen s like he Pla a o ma de A ec ados po la Hipo eca (PAH), which ad oca ed o pushing
a o dable housing and sys emic change in legal e o m .
This socio-economic ans o ma ion, along wi h b oade socie al shi s, laid he ounda ion o a new
app oach o housing ha p io i izes communi y, a o dabili y, and sus ainabili y. This dynamic and
e ol ing pe spec i e e lec s a g owing socie al desi e o equi able, sus ainable, and
communi y-o ien ed li ing.
The "110 ROOMS" p ojec exempli ies how a chi ec u e can espond o changing socie al needs by
o e ing lexible layou s ha accommoda e di e se social a angemen s, om amilies o co-li ing
se ups. This adap abili y no only mee s unc ional equi emen s bu also os e s inclusi i y, b inging
oge he di e se g oups unde one oo . By challenging adi ional no ions o hie a chy, he p ojec
highligh s he po en ial o a chi ec u e o c ea e mo e democ a ic spaces. As socie ies e ol e, so do
he needs and desi es o hei inhabi an s; a uly democ a ic a chi ec u e emb aces hese shi s,
p io i izing lexibili y and au onomy o accommoda e di e se li es yles and social dynamics. In doing
so, i ensu es ha e e yone, ega dless o backg ound o ci cums ance, eels ep esen ed and
empowe ed wi hin he spaces hey inhabi .
5.1. Sha e ing he Spa ial Hie a chy
MAIO’s p ojec exempli ies a democ a ic app oach by elimina ing he adi ional hie a chy o spaces
in homes. In his design, simila modula ooms a e placed h oughou he building, empowe ing
esiden s o cus omize he layou and unc ionali y o hei apa men s based on pe sonal
p e e ences and e ol ing needs. Unlike con en ional homes, whe e li ing ooms and dining a eas a e
p io i ized and se ice spaces a e seconda y, his p ojec in ends o each equali y by ea ing e e y
oom wi h equal impo ance. Flexibili y is achie ed h ough he ambigui y o he space and i s
dimensions, encou aging esiden s o de e mine hei own spa ial usage. This app oach no only
challenges he no ms o esiden ial design bu also p omo es a sense o au onomy and equali y
wi hin he home.
Figu e 9. MAIO A chi ec s. Va ia ion o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee , CAD D awing. Digi al
e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. In: A qui ec u a Vi a [online].
Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe
Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
5.2.Rede inining Flexibili y
11
Flexibili y in a chi ec u al design is o en in e p e ed in wo ways: one app oach equa es lexibili y
wi h he open plan, whe e ba ie s a e emo ed o c ea e mul i unc ional spaces (Mo eys 2014, p.
14), while ano he links lexibili y o he egula i y and homogenei y o spaces. This second app oach
emphasizes uni o mi y in spa ial logic ha allows o long- e m adap abili y. As no ed in Quade ns
270 by COAC, “Each apa men can be expanded o educed by adding o emo ing ooms, adap ing
o u u e needs” ([P.] Col·legi d'A qui ec es de Ca alunya, 2017, p.83-87). This in e p e a ion ies
lexibili y o s anda diza ion, o e ing a amewo k whe e spaces a e no p ede ined bu can e ol e
wi h hei use s.
Geo ges Pe ec’s (1936 - 1982) ideas on space could be seen in how Maio´s p ojec was designed; as
some hing con inuously shaped by he ac ions and ou ines o i s inhabi an s. By designing
in e connec ed ooms wi hou hallways, he p ojec enables esiden s o adap spaces o hei needs
o e ime—a oom migh se e as a bed oom oday, a s udy omo ow, o a li ing a ea he nex day
(Pe ec 2001, p. 43-49). This inhe en lexibili y e lec s Pe ec’s idea ha spaces gain meaning h ough
hei use, a he han h ough p ede ined unc ions. By p io i izing egula i y, he design o e s an
in elligen balance be ween simplici y and adap abili y, accommoda ing he di e se ac i i ies,
li es yles, and changing amily s uc u es ha cha ac e ize mode n li e.
Bo h app oaches o lexibili y—open plans and iso opic layou s— espond o he need o adap able
li ing spaces. Howe e , he 110 Rooms p ojec highligh s how homogenei y and egula i y can
p o ide a obus amewo k o spa ial ans o ma ion. The possibili y o adding o emo ing ooms
no only aligns wi h he heo e ical lexibili y bu also demons a es i s p ac ical applica ion in
c ea ing homes ha can e ol e alongside hei occupan s’ needs.
Figu e 11. MAIO. Axonome ic Diag ams o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença S ee [manipula ed
p opo ions o he image by he au ho s]. Collage d awing. Digi al e sion. 667x3024 pixels and 72 dpi.
Ba celona: MAIO, 2016. In: MAIO A chi ec s [online].
5.2.Challenges o Ambigui y and Uni o mi y
Despi e i s lexibili y, 110 Rooms p esen s challenges, pa icula ly ega ding i s ambigui y. The
absence o clea spa ial oles could o e whelm some esiden s, especially hose accus omed o he
com o o adi ional homes. In con en ional layou s, each oom has a dis inc unc ion—li ing
ooms a e o socializing, ki chens o cooking, and bed ooms o sleeping. In 110 Rooms, he e a e
no such dis inc ions, which can c ea e con usion o discom o o hose who ind i di icul o make
hese decisions. Be na d Tschumi (1944-) cap u es his ension, no ing, “P og ams ha e long ceased
o be de e mina e, since hey change all he ime—while he building is designed, du ing i s
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u u e gene a ions. In his way, de elopmen is o en p io i ized o e sus ainabili y. Following Wo ld
Wa II, en i onmen al conce ns became mo e p onounced and adical, ueled by he ea ha
economic g ow h could jeopa dize he su i al o bo h humani y and he plane . This led o a new
mode o hinking abou de elopmen and pa ed he way o sus ainable de elopmen as an
al e na i e o unlimi ed economic g ow h (Pisani, 2007, 8).
This idea can be applied ac oss a ious hemes in a chi ec u al analysis; some in e p e i h ough he
way buildings manage hei ma e ials, cons uc ion p ocesses, o e en in hei capaci y o mi iga e
he ecological oo p in hey gene a e. Howe e , when we e u n o he undamen als o
cons uc ion, we unde s and ha he e y ac o c ea ing an enclosed space o en i onmen al
p o ec ion inhe en ly en ails a dis up i e impac on he en i onmen and is, by ex ension, no
necessa ily sus ainable (Edwa ds,2010,174), acco ding he Global Alliance o Buildings and
Cons uc ion, 37% o he wo ldwide ca bon emissions a e due o cons uc ion indus y, making i he
la ges emi e wo ldwide . This has a di ec implica ion on he way indi iduals a e in luenced and
a ec ed in hei pe sonal iden i y and social beha io .
Figu e 17. Sobe s, S. Mu a ion A-34, mu a ed plan s om a mix o P o idence weeds. [Pho og aph].
Digi al e sion. Unknown size. Ba celona: Sobe s, S. 2013.
Analyzing he abo e, and conside ing ha housing o ms he ounda ion o buil space—se ing he
p ima y pu pose o p o ec ion—leads us o explo e sus ainabili y wi hin a na a i e ha ex ends
beyond he commonly emphasized ecological aspec . Ins ead, i appeals o he capaci y o spaces o
adap and ans o m acco ding o he needs o hei occupan s, making hem mu able and dynamic
(Figu e 17). This adap abili y es ablishes a clea concep ual basis o spa ial use ha a oids cons an
en i onmen al deg ada ion. Inno a ion, hen, becomes undamen al o sus ainable de elopmen ,
aligning wi h he ongoing changes demanded by socie y (Be gmann,2019,49), while ha ing a
signi ican economic impac —a concep deeply ied o sus ainabili y.
This pe spec i e encou ages us o examine he longe i y and pe manence o buildings, no h ough
mode nis p inciples whe e lexibili y and modula i y we e o en p io i ized o e socie al well-being,
leading o nega i e socio-cul u al consequences and s i ling oppo uni ies o e o m and inno a ion.
Ins ead, we ocus on du able s uc u es, whe e ma e ial eplacemen and easily adap able in e io
echniques suppo esilience ha mee s occupan s’ needs.
19

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F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
u u e gene a ions. In his way, de elopmen is o en p io i ized o e sus ainabili y. Following Wo ld
Wa II, en i onmen al conce ns became mo e p onounced and adical, ueled by he ea ha
economic g ow h could jeopa dize he su i al o bo h humani y and he plane . This led o a new
mode o hinking abou de elopmen and pa ed he way o sus ainable de elopmen as an
al e na i e o unlimi ed economic g ow h (Pisani, 2007, 8).
This idea can be applied ac oss a ious hemes in a chi ec u al analysis; some in e p e i h ough he
way buildings manage hei ma e ials, cons uc ion p ocesses, o e en in hei capaci y o mi iga e
he ecological oo p in hey gene a e. Howe e , when we e u n o he undamen als o
cons uc ion, we unde s and ha he e y ac o c ea ing an enclosed space o en i onmen al
p o ec ion inhe en ly en ails a dis up i e impac on he en i onmen and is, by ex ension, no
necessa ily sus ainable (Edwa ds,2010,174), acco ding he Global Alliance o Buildings and
Cons uc ion, 37% o he wo ldwide ca bon emissions a e due o cons uc ion indus y, making i he
la ges emi e wo ldwide . This has a di ec implica ion on he way indi iduals a e in luenced and
a ec ed in hei pe sonal iden i y and social beha io .
Figu e 17. Sobe s, S. Mu a ion A-34, mu a ed plan s om a mix o P o idence weeds. [Pho og aph].
Digi al e sion. Unknown size. Ba celona: Sobe s, S. 2013.
Analyzing he abo e, and conside ing ha housing o ms he ounda ion o buil space—se ing he
p ima y pu pose o p o ec ion—leads us o explo e sus ainabili y wi hin a na a i e ha ex ends
beyond he commonly emphasized ecological aspec . Ins ead, i appeals o he capaci y o spaces o
adap and ans o m acco ding o he needs o hei occupan s, making hem mu able and dynamic
(Figu e 17). This adap abili y es ablishes a clea concep ual basis o spa ial use ha a oids cons an
en i onmen al deg ada ion. Inno a ion, hen, becomes undamen al o sus ainable de elopmen ,
aligning wi h he ongoing changes demanded by socie y (Be gmann,2019,49), while ha ing a
signi ican economic impac —a concep deeply ied o sus ainabili y.
This pe spec i e encou ages us o examine he longe i y and pe manence o buildings, no h ough
mode nis p inciples whe e lexibili y and modula i y we e o en p io i ized o e socie al well-being,
leading o nega i e socio-cul u al consequences and s i ling oppo uni ies o e o m and inno a ion.
Ins ead, we ocus on du able s uc u es, whe e ma e ial eplacemen and easily adap able in e io
echniques suppo esilience ha mee s occupan s’ needs.
19
Thus, i housing is concei ed om he ou se as lexible and adap able, i can gene a e an
a chi ec u e ha engages wi h sus ainabili y, es ablishing sel -su icien , op imized spaces while
po en ially educing he need o u u e eno a ions ha demand cos ly cons uc ion p ocesses o
ma e ials. This app oach minimizes unnecessa y ene gy expendi u es, os e ing an en i onmen ha
is cen e ed on he use expe ience.
7.1. Con ex ela ionship and local echniques
Pa o he acade design objec i es o his p ojec cen e s on p ese ing and employing echniques
oo ed in he local con ex , enabling he use o local labo . Acco ding o Rincon, om 40% o 50% o
ope a ional cos s can be educed by applying con ex echniques and ma e ials, a he ou se , his
may esul in a 2% inc ease in he cons uc ion p ocess. Howe e , o e he building's en i e li ecycle,
i could lead o an o e all educ ion o up o 20% (Ka s, Ale an is,Be man,Mills,Pe lman, 2013).
Addi ionally, he use o na i e ma e ials makes a meaning ul con ibu ion o sus ainabili y. The
building’s acade is a key elemen , ea u ing a lime mo a inish—a ma e ial his o ically used o wall
plas e ing due o i s du abili y and esis ance o e ime. Composed o lime, siliceous agg ega es, and
ca bona es (Jaise , 2024) hese eco-mine al ma e ials a e sus ainable and gen le on acades, se ing
as bo h new and ehabili a i e coa ings. They a e also esis an o wea he condi ions and allow
acades o “b ea he” due o hei wa e apo pe meabili y, esul ing in ex ended acade longe i y.
Figu e 18. Lao, M. Mo a inish acade o 110 Rooms by MAIO . [Pho og aph om a chi e]. 206 × 604 size and
72dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M .2024
7.2. P og am lexibili y
Highly specialized buildings, while unc ional in he sho e m, o en become in lexible and obsole e
as needs change, leading o unnecessa y was e and ene gy expendi u e (B ian Edwa ds, 2010, 174).
To enhance his adap abili y, ligh weigh ma e ials a e used o in e nal pa i ions, acili a ing easy
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modi ica ions. Mo able walls, doo s, and duplica ed mechanical elemen s ac oss a ious a eas
u he suppo ongoing unc ional a ia ion, educing he o e all ca bon oo p in o he building
o e ime.
Figu e 19. As o ga, D. Di e en oom con igu a ions, lexible space, by MAIO. [Digi al d awing]. 1000x707 pixels
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: As o ga, D, 2024.
Na u al en ila ion and ligh ing—closely ied o com o as a p ima y componen o spa ial
sus ainabili y—a e also emphasized. Com o depends on a space’s he mal capaci y, humidi y,
en ila ion, and ligh ing (B ian Edwa ds, 2010,174-175). Wi h his in mind, he building is designed
wi h wo olumes joined by an open space o ligh and en ila ion sha , ensu ing ha each uni
bene i s om na u al en ila ion and ligh ing. Addi ionally, an open space a he ea o he building
maximizes ai low and enhances he sense o openness h oughou . To u he adap o a ying
clima e condi ions, mo able enclosu es allow spaces o espond lexibly, educing eliance on
mechanical clima e sys ems. I is c ucial o ecognize ha sus ainable buildings should a oid being
o e ly deep in plan, excessi ely all, o highly i egula in shape. Sho e loo plans op imize na u al
ligh ing access and educe ene gy loss h ough he s ack e ec o en ila ion (B ian Edwa ds,
2010,174-175). In his way, he building e ec i ely claims o add ess bioclima ic conside a ions.
21
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modi ica ions. Mo able walls, doo s, and duplica ed mechanical elemen s ac oss a ious a eas
u he suppo ongoing unc ional a ia ion, educing he o e all ca bon oo p in o he building
o e ime.
Figu e 19. As o ga, D. Di e en oom con igu a ions, lexible space, by MAIO. [Digi al d awing]. 1000x707 pixels
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: As o ga, D, 2024.
Na u al en ila ion and ligh ing—closely ied o com o as a p ima y componen o spa ial
sus ainabili y—a e also emphasized. Com o depends on a space’s he mal capaci y, humidi y,
en ila ion, and ligh ing (B ian Edwa ds, 2010,174-175). Wi h his in mind, he building is designed
wi h wo olumes joined by an open space o ligh and en ila ion sha , ensu ing ha each uni
bene i s om na u al en ila ion and ligh ing. Addi ionally, an open space a he ea o he building
maximizes ai low and enhances he sense o openness h oughou . To u he adap o a ying
clima e condi ions, mo able enclosu es allow spaces o espond lexibly, educing eliance on
mechanical clima e sys ems. I is c ucial o ecognize ha sus ainable buildings should a oid being
o e ly deep in plan, excessi ely all, o highly i egula in shape. Sho e loo plans op imize na u al
ligh ing access and educe ene gy loss h ough he s ack e ec o en ila ion (B ian Edwa ds,
2010,174-175). In his way, he building e ec i ely claims o add ess bioclima ic conside a ions.
21
Figu e 20. Maio. Na u al ligh ing and c oss en ila ion . [Digi al d awing]. 1000x707 pixels and 72 dpi.
Ba celona: Maio, 2024.
Rega ding du abili y in design, unc ional simplici y, and he ela ionship be ween he wo, du abili y
can be de ined as a building’s abili y o emain in an accep able condi ion o mul iple gene a ions
wi h no di icul main enance equi emen s hese p ac ices may include aising he s anda ds o
p o iding and adding new sus ainable inno a i e design solu ions, c ea ing a p oac i e app oach
(Chan e & Swallow, 2008). While ini ial in es men s may be subs an ial, hey yield app oxima ely
20% o cos educ ions o e ime (Ka s,Ale an is,Be man,Mills &Pe lman,2013). Func ional
simplici y sugges s ha complex buildings end no o emain p ac ical o e long pe iods, and ha he
deg ee o use con ol o e he buil en i onmen is essen ial o conside (B ian Edwa ds, 2010,175).
Buildings wi h legible cons uc ion sys ems acili a e con inual imp o emen s, allowing o a clea e
unde s anding o a building’s li e cycle and he in e en ions equi ed o ensu e i s longe i y.
By keeping he building’s concep ual, s uc u al, and ma e ial design s aigh o wa d, basic
main enance becomes easie . The s a egic use o du able and esilien ma e ials o he s uc u al
amewo k and acade, combined wi h ligh weigh in e io elemen s o p omo e lexibili y, allows o
mo e sus ainable managemen o ma e ials in a simpli ied way. This cla i y also bene i s use s,
o e ing anspa ency abou he building’s unc ionali y and o m.
Ul ima ely, he sus ainabili y o MAIO’s 110 Rooms p ojec is oo ed in a building ha has he abili y
o be unde s ood and ‘ ead’ which makes i legible—one open o change, ecognizing ha
sus ainabili y o en in ol es he in insic condi ions c ea ed by he li es o i s inhabi an s a he han
solely an ecological concep . Housing is unde s ood as a “ hi d skin” essen ial o human li e; like an
o ganic en i y, i mus adap , hyb idize, expand, and con ac in ha mony wi h i s occupan s.
8. Conclusions
The a chi ec u al concep o 110 Rooms in oduces an app oach ha aligns wi h p e iously ou lined
p inciples bu in i es c i ical e lec ion on whe he he sys em can ully adap o he ul ima e needs o
i s use s. While i showcases posi i e a ibu es in e ms o ma e iali y, sus ainabili y, and adap i e
lexibili y, ce ain challenges eme ge ha p e en hese concep s om achie ing ull in eg a ion.
Cu en ly, spaces ini ially concei ed as long- e m esiden ial en i onmen s a e equen ly epu posed
in o sho - e m ou is en als a ele a ed ma ke a es. This p ac ice di e ges sha ply om he
o iginal in en o such spaces. Consequen ly, sus ainabili y and he po en ial o ex ended habi a ion
a e unde u ilized. Ma e ials, while me iculously chosen, become a ola ile ac o —se ing as a
s uc u al base a he han os e ing emo ional esonance o es ablishing a connec ion o he local
con ex . When spaces a e commodi ied o quick u no e , he poe ic aspi a ions o a chi ec u al
design lose hei capaci y o esona e deeply.
This b ings us back o he p emise ha spaces a e ul ima ely shaped and de ined by hei use s.
Howe e , sensi i e, ac ile, and emo ional alues a e o en educed o supe icial aes he ics, allowing
comme cial p io i ies o domina e as he ul ima e a chi ec u al alue. This eali y p omp s p essing
ques ions abou he easibili y o shi ing his pa adigm.
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Following a ho ough analysis o he building and i s cu en ope a ion wi hin a p ima ily comme cial
amewo k, se e al hypo heses eme ge ega ding he ac ual in en ions behind he concep and
design o he p ojec . While he p ojec o e s a na a i e o inno a ion and o wa d- hinking design
solu ions ailo ed o he needs o inhabi an s, his na a i e may ul ima ely se e as a acade,
masking he pu sui o pu ely economic bene i s du ing he pe mi ing and legal concep ion s ages.
The mone a y alues de ining cons uc ion and main enance cos s s and in s a k con as o he
subs an ial e enue gene a ed by he p ojec . Based on da a om he A xius Municipal o Ba celona,
he p ojec in ol ed an ini ial in es men o app oxima ely €3.5 million, co e ing land acquisi ion,
cons uc ion, and axes. In oday's ma ke , based on he p ice pe squa e me e , he building could be
sold a a p o i exceeding 100% o he ini ial in es men . Mo eo e , h ough a sho - e m en al
model, wi h cu en nigh ly a es and p ojec ions o high and low seasons, he building could
gene a e annual ne p o i s app oaching €100,000.
The deba e he e does no ocus on he p o i abili y o he p ojec bu a he on he means by which
hese p o i s a e achie ed. Ini ially planned, p ocessed, and ma ke ed as esiden ial spaces, he
p ojec ’s concep ual amewo k was aligned wi h he needs and long- e m spa ial app op ia ion o i s
use s. Howe e , his ini ial p oposi ion appea s o ha e been “ ic ional,” as he in ended uses and
economic p ojec ions o he space di e ged signi ican ly. This aises conce ns no only abou
adhe ence o p icing, ax, and egula o y amewo ks bu also abou c ea ing a acade a ound an
issue as c i ical as housing, pa icula ly in a ci y like Ba celona.
Ba celona aces a se e e housing c isis, wi h en al p ices eaching up o €17.3 pe squa e me e ,
acco ding o he Ci y Council. Fo sho - e m o ou is en als, his a e can escala e o a daily igu e,
as obse ed in he ad e ised en al lis ings o his building. Meanwhile, he pu chase p ice o
housing exceeds €7,076.5 pe squa e me e . These condi ions s em om ac o s such as
gen i ica ion, he in lux o ou is s, and he apid, luc a i e oppo uni ies o e ed by sho - e m
en als h ough a ious online pla o ms.
23
101
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
Following a ho ough analysis o he building and i s cu en ope a ion wi hin a p ima ily comme cial
amewo k, se e al hypo heses eme ge ega ding he ac ual in en ions behind he concep and
design o he p ojec . While he p ojec o e s a na a i e o inno a ion and o wa d- hinking design
solu ions ailo ed o he needs o inhabi an s, his na a i e may ul ima ely se e as a acade,
masking he pu sui o pu ely economic bene i s du ing he pe mi ing and legal concep ion s ages.
The mone a y alues de ining cons uc ion and main enance cos s s and in s a k con as o he
subs an ial e enue gene a ed by he p ojec . Based on da a om he A xius Municipal o Ba celona,
he p ojec in ol ed an ini ial in es men o app oxima ely €3.5 million, co e ing land acquisi ion,
cons uc ion, and axes. In oday's ma ke , based on he p ice pe squa e me e , he building could be
sold a a p o i exceeding 100% o he ini ial in es men . Mo eo e , h ough a sho - e m en al
model, wi h cu en nigh ly a es and p ojec ions o high and low seasons, he building could
gene a e annual ne p o i s app oaching €100,000.
The deba e he e does no ocus on he p o i abili y o he p ojec bu a he on he means by which
hese p o i s a e achie ed. Ini ially planned, p ocessed, and ma ke ed as esiden ial spaces, he
p ojec ’s concep ual amewo k was aligned wi h he needs and long- e m spa ial app op ia ion o i s
use s. Howe e , his ini ial p oposi ion appea s o ha e been “ ic ional,” as he in ended uses and
economic p ojec ions o he space di e ged signi ican ly. This aises conce ns no only abou
adhe ence o p icing, ax, and egula o y amewo ks bu also abou c ea ing a acade a ound an
issue as c i ical as housing, pa icula ly in a ci y like Ba celona.
Ba celona aces a se e e housing c isis, wi h en al p ices eaching up o €17.3 pe squa e me e ,
acco ding o he Ci y Council. Fo sho - e m o ou is en als, his a e can escala e o a daily igu e,
as obse ed in he ad e ised en al lis ings o his building. Meanwhile, he pu chase p ice o
housing exceeds €7,076.5 pe squa e me e . These condi ions s em om ac o s such as
gen i ica ion, he in lux o ou is s, and he apid, luc a i e oppo uni ies o e ed by sho - e m
en als h ough a ious online pla o ms.
23
Figu e 21. Open da a Ba celona. Ren ing- Sales P ice in Ba celona . [Newspape ]. Unknown esolu ion.
Ba celona: Ajun amen de Ba celona , 2021.
Figu e 22. Velasco. L . Ren ing c isis in Ba celona Headline. [Newspape ]. Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona: El
País, 2024.
A chi ec u e and u ban planning, as one o hei ul ima e pu poses, should suppo he economic
de elopmen o hei con ex s wi hou sac i icing he well-being o all who inhabi hese spaces. I is
no a ma e o p i ileging some o e o he s bu a he o c ea ing spaces ha p omo e a gene al
quali y o li e, balancing he economic, social, and spa ial bene i s. F om he ou se , spa ial p oposals
should be hones , oo ed in ealis ic a chi ec u al p og ams. Only h ough such in eg i y can he
design and i s s a egies be ully op imized.
This discussion aises u he ques ions abou he design decisions hemsel es. Is socie y p epa ed o
emb ace s a egies such as spa ial lexibili y? O does such lexibili y inhe en ly p o oke esis ance
among inhabi an s? Concep ual app oaches o en equi e signi ican inancial in es men s ha isk
unde u iliza ion, c ea ing a spa ial pa adox. This pa adox consis en ly edi ec s us o he end-use , he
e olu ion o social s uc u es, and he apid pace o socie al ans o ma ion.
Pe haps he ul ima e ealiza ion is ha a chi ec u e equals eali y. Rega dless o he p og am,
p ojec ed uses, ma e ials, o li e s a egies, a chi ec u e mus con on i s social implica ions. The
pa h o wa d may in ol e designe s subo dina ing hei egos and p io i izing he social eali ies and
needs o he con ex and i s p ospec i e inhabi an s.
110 Rooms se es as an inno a i e case s udy, u ging e lec ion on mode ni y, he ole o he
a chi ec in global social change, and whe he such a chi ec u al p oposals can genuinely be
e olu iona y. The p ojec illus a es how adap abili y, ma e iali y and sus ainabili y can con e ge o
add ess mode n u ban housing challenges. Howe e , i s comme cial epu posing e eals sys emic
obs acles ha hinde he po en ial o such inno a i e solu ions o ully mee hei ans o ma i e
goals.
Figu e 23. Unknown au ho . Housing p oposal becomes a ola ile me can ilis p oduc . [Digi al media].
Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona, 2024.
24

102 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
ASTORGA, Daniel, CARRERA, Vale ia, GONZALEZ, Ma ía Jacin a, KANUKOVA, Aleksand a, LAO, Manqi
APRÈN
Disclaime :
Some o he da a on he sou ces used o his a icle ha e been wi hd awn om he inal e sion in o de o
ensu e p o ec ion o he igh o hono o he a ec ed en e p ises.
Bibliog aphy
ARTICLE
Ajun amen o Ba celona. Més habi a ge públic p o egi a l’eix e d de l’Eixample. Habi a ge. Ba celona.
Ajun amen o Ba celona, Feb ua y 2023.
Pin o Campos, B.C. A qui ec u a y diseño lexible una e isión pa a una cons ucción más sos enible, [online]
UPC Tesis de doc o ado ,Tesi doc o al, UPC, Depa amen de Rep esen ació A qui ec ònica, 2019. DOI
10.5821/disse a ion-2117-176433.
Chan e , B., & Swallow, P. Building Main enance Managemen , 2nd ed. [online] Blackwell, Unknown mon h,
2008.
Co ominas Ayala, M. Ce dà i la Ba celona del u u : eali a s. p ojec e. D'UR [online]. 1, pp. 144-145, Oc obe
2010. [Da e o consul a ion: 16 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a : h p://hdl.handle.ne /2099/13683.
Du Pisani, J. A. Sus ainable De elopmen – His o ical Roo s o he Concep . En i onmen al Sciences, 3(2), 83–96.
[online] 2006. DOI: 10.1080/15693430600688831
Ka a oğlu, B. A che ypes & A chi ec u e Th ough he Eyes o Aldo Rossi & Ch is ian No be g-Schulz. [online]
Unknown mon h, 2023.
Maio: 110 habi acions, Ba celona, 2013-2016.Quade ns d’A qui ec u a i U banisme [online], no. 270, p. 83–88.
[Ba celona]: Col·legi d’A qui ec es de Ca alunya, 2018. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps:// aco.ca /index.php/Quade nsA qui ec u aU banisme/a icle/ iew/342139
Mon eys, X. La casa de las habi aciones iguales. Quade ns d'A qui ec u a i U banisme, 2013, Num 265, pp.
83-88.
Till, J., & Schneide , T. Flexible Housing: The Means o he End. A chi ec u al Resea ch Qua e ly, 9, pp. 287-296,
2005. DOI: 10.1017/S1359135505000345.
Xue, C. Adap i e euse as sus ainable a chi ec u e in con empo a y Shanghai. U banism and A chi ec u e,
Oc obe , 2018. A ailable a :
h ps://lup.lub.lu.se/luu /download? unc=downloadFile& eco dOId=1320800& ileOId=1320801
BOOKS
Picon, A. Ma e iali y o A chi ec u e. Minneapolis: Uni e si y o Minneso a P ess, 2020. ISBN 9781517909455.
Edwa ds, B. Rough Guide o Sus ainabili y, 3 d edi ion. Basel: RIBA Publishing, 2010. ISBN 97885946332.
Bauman, Z. Liquid Mode ni y. Camb idge: Poli y P ess, 2000. ISBN 0-7456-2409-X.
Be gmann, C. Designing P ocesses a s a egy o he u u e o cons uc ion. Basel: Bi khäuse Ve lag GmbH,
2019. ISBN 9783035615692
25
103
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
Disclaime :
Some o he da a on he sou ces used o his a icle ha e been wi hd awn om he inal e sion in o de o
ensu e p o ec ion o he igh o hono o he a ec ed en e p ises.
Bibliog aphy
ARTICLE
Ajun amen o Ba celona. Més habi a ge públic p o egi a l’eix e d de l’Eixample. Habi a ge. Ba celona.
Ajun amen o Ba celona, Feb ua y 2023.
Pin o Campos, B.C. A qui ec u a y diseño lexible una e isión pa a una cons ucción más sos enible, [online]
UPC Tesis de doc o ado ,Tesi doc o al, UPC, Depa amen de Rep esen ació A qui ec ònica, 2019. DOI
10.5821/disse a ion-2117-176433.
Chan e , B., & Swallow, P. Building Main enance Managemen , 2nd ed. [online] Blackwell, Unknown mon h,
2008.
Co ominas Ayala, M. Ce dà i la Ba celona del u u : eali a s. p ojec e. D'UR [online]. 1, pp. 144-145, Oc obe
2010. [Da e o consul a ion: 16 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a : h p://hdl.handle.ne /2099/13683.
Du Pisani, J. A. Sus ainable De elopmen – His o ical Roo s o he Concep . En i onmen al Sciences, 3(2), 83–96.
[online] 2006. DOI: 10.1080/15693430600688831
Ka a oğlu, B. A che ypes & A chi ec u e Th ough he Eyes o Aldo Rossi & Ch is ian No be g-Schulz. [online]
Unknown mon h, 2023.
Maio: 110 habi acions, Ba celona, 2013-2016.Quade ns d’A qui ec u a i U banisme [online], no. 270, p. 83–88.
[Ba celona]: Col·legi d’A qui ec es de Ca alunya, 2018. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps:// aco.ca /index.php/Quade nsA qui ec u aU banisme/a icle/ iew/342139
Mon eys, X. La casa de las habi aciones iguales. Quade ns d'A qui ec u a i U banisme, 2013, Num 265, pp.
83-88.
Till, J., & Schneide , T. Flexible Housing: The Means o he End. A chi ec u al Resea ch Qua e ly, 9, pp. 287-296,
2005. DOI: 10.1017/S1359135505000345.
Xue, C. Adap i e euse as sus ainable a chi ec u e in con empo a y Shanghai. U banism and A chi ec u e,
Oc obe , 2018. A ailable a :
h ps://lup.lub.lu.se/luu /download? unc=downloadFile& eco dOId=1320800& ileOId=1320801
BOOKS
Picon, A. Ma e iali y o A chi ec u e. Minneapolis: Uni e si y o Minneso a P ess, 2020. ISBN 9781517909455.
Edwa ds, B. Rough Guide o Sus ainabili y, 3 d edi ion. Basel: RIBA Publishing, 2010. ISBN 97885946332.
Bauman, Z. Liquid Mode ni y. Camb idge: Poli y P ess, 2000. ISBN 0-7456-2409-X.
Be gmann, C. Designing P ocesses a s a egy o he u u e o cons uc ion. Basel: Bi khäuse Ve lag GmbH,
2019. ISBN 9783035615692
25
B aunga , M. C adle o c adle (De la cuna a la cuna). Rediseñando la o ma en que hacemos las cosas. Mad id
[e c.]: McG aw-Hill, 2005
B and, S. How Buildings Lea n: Wha Happens A e They A e Buil . Ba celona: Viking P ess - Penguin Books,
1995. ISSN 2014-4601.
La sen, H. G.. Ba celona: Housing c isis and u ban ac i ism. Con empo a y Co-housing in Eu ope. (2020) ISBN
9781138325913
Hicks, JR.Value and capi al: an inqui y in o some undamen al p inciples o economic heo y. Ox o d:Cla endon
P ess. Unknown mon h, 1941.ISBN 0198282699
K onenbu g, R. Flexible: A qui ec u a que in eg a el cambio. Ba celona: A Blume July, 2007. ISBN
9788498011470
Mon eys, X. La Habi ación más allá de la sala. Ba celona: Edi o ial Gus a o Gili, 2014. ISBN 9788425228162.
No be g-Schulz, C. Genius loci: Towa ds a phenomenology o a chi ec u e. New Yo k, NY: Rizzoli. (1980)
Pallasmaa, J. The Eyes o he Skin. Lond es: Wiley-Academy, 2005. ISBN 0470015799
Pe ec, G. La habi ación. A: Pe ec, G. Especies de espacios. 2nd ed. Ba celona: Li e a u a y Ciencia, S. L., 2001, pp.
43-49. ISBN 84-95776-07-3.
Ros ow W. W. The wo ld economy. His o y and p ospec . London: Macmillan July, 1998 . .ISBN 0333248392
Sob equés i Callicó, J. His ò ia de Ba celona. Ba celona: Plaza & Janes Edi o es. (2008). ISBN 9788401379826
Van Zon H. Geschiedenis & duu zame on wikkeling. Duu zame on wikkeling in his o isch pe spec ie : enkele
e kenningen. Ne we k Duu zaam Hoge Onde wijs, Ne he lands 2002. ISBN 9077004041,
9789077004043
Vi ay, E. Ma e ial Design In o ming A chi ec u e by Ma e iali y . Basel: Bi khäuse GmbH, 2011. ISBN
9783034600347.
Wong, L. Adap i e Reuse in A chi ec u e: A Typological Index. Bi khäuse , Ge many 2023.ISBN 9783035625639
WEBSITE
A chi ec uul. Team 10 [online]. Unknown edi ion. Unknown place o publica ion: A chi ec uul, Unknown da e o
publica ion. [Da e o consul a ion: Decembe 16, 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://a chi ec uul.com/a chi ec / eam-10
Jaise . Rehabili ación de achadas en Ba celona. [online]. Fachadas Ba celona, [Da e o consul a ion: 4 Oc obe
2024]. A ailable a : h ps:// achadas- ehabili acion.ne / ehabili acion-de- achadas-en-ba celona/.
Ka s, G., Ale an is, L., Be man, A., Mills, E., & Pe lman, J. The Cos s and Financial Bene i s o G een Buildings: A
Repo o Cali o nia’s Sus ainable Building Task Fo ce. [online]. 2013. [Consul a ion: 18 No embe 2024].
A ailable a : h ps://www.sci p.o g/ e e ence/Re e encesPape s?Re e enceID=1754115.
MAIO – A chi ec u al. MAIO A chi ec es. [online]. Ba celona: MAIO, 2024. [Compiled: 17 No embe 2024].
A ailable a : h ps://www.maio-a chi ec s.com/p ojec /110- ooms/.
Gómez-Mo iana, R. In C i icalis a. [online]. [Da e o consul a ion: 12 No embe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps://c i icalis a.com/2020/04/01/110- ooms-22- la s-and-one-good-idea/.
26
104 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues Cou se 2024-2025
ASTORGA, Daniel, CARRERA, Vale ia, GONZALEZ, Ma ía Jacin a, KANUKOVA, Aleksand a, LAO, Manqi
APRÈN
Rincón, E. Compa ación de cos os de cons ucción adicional s. cons ucción incluyendo c i e ios leed: caso
edi icio es a o. [online]. [Da e o consul a ion: 18 No embe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps:// eposi o y.upb.edu.co/handle/20.500.11912/183.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figu e 1. Maio. 22 Dwellings Housing Block in Ba celona [pho og aph]. Digi al e sion. 1777 x 2208 pixels and
72 dpi. Ba celona: Maio, 2016
Figu e 2. Fo na i, L . 22 In e nal a angemen s o 50x50 a ia ions, based on Mies Van de Rohe d awings
[d awings]. Digi al e sion. 3300x 840 pixels and 72 dpi. B asil : A qui ex os, 2011
Figu e 3. La Bo da. Unknown [digi al d awing]. 976x768 pixels and 300 dpi size. Digi al e sion. Ba celona: Laco,
2018
Figu e 4. Unknown au ho . View o he acade and dwelling ype p e-exis ing [pho og aph om a chi e].
Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona: Ajun amen o Ba celona , 2016
Figu e 5. Lao, M . Ac ual Facade [pho og aph om a chi e]. 3024 × 4032 size and 300 dpi . Ba celona: Lao,
2024
Figu e 6. Ce dà, I. Ba celona's su oundings plan be o e Plan Ce da. [Ink D awing on pape ]. 1984 × 1120 size
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: BCNROC, 1885.
Figu e 7. Unknown au ho . The A les amphi hea e as a medie al housing communi y s The A les
amphi hea e oday as a ou is si e. [Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ba celona: Wong, L, 2022
Figu e 8. Unknown au ho . Di e en housing ypologies, and ela ion wi h sense o belonging wi h he con ex .
[ Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ge many: No be g-Schulz, 1890.
Figu e 9. MAIO A chi ec s. Va ia ion o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee , CAD D awing. Digi al
e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. In: A qui ec u a Vi a [online]. Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o
layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361
pixels and 72 dpi. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe
Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. A ailable a :
h ps://a qui ec u a i a.com/wo ks/22-housing-in-calle-p o enca [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 11. MAIO. Axonome ic Diag ams o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença S ee . Collage d awing.
Digi al e sion. 667x3024 pixels and 72 dpi. Ba celona: MAIO, 2016. In: MAIO A chi ec s [online]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.maio-a chi ec s.com/p ojec /110- ooms/ [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 12. MAIO. Spa ial P ede e mina ion o Public A eas Diag am o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a
P o ença S ee [d awing]. [Digi al e sion]. 1000x1415 pixels and 72 dpi. [Ba celona]: MAIO, 2016.
Figu e 13. Lao, M. In e nal View o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee [pho og aph]. Digi al
e sion. 1000x1415 pixels and 72 dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M, 2024.
Figu e 14. Unknown au ho . Tex ile mo i o he açade sg a i o [pho og aph om a chi e]. Unknown
esolu ion. Ba celona: Ajun amen o Ba celona , 2016
27
105
Cou se 2024-2025 MBARCH - Con empo a y P ojec - Con empo a y a chi ec u al issues
F om concep o p ac ice: he lexible design o MAIO’s 110 ooms APRÈN
Rincón, E. Compa ación de cos os de cons ucción adicional s. cons ucción incluyendo c i e ios leed: caso
edi icio es a o. [online]. [Da e o consul a ion: 18 No embe 2024]. A ailable a :
h ps:// eposi o y.upb.edu.co/handle/20.500.11912/183.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figu e 1. Maio. 22 Dwellings Housing Block in Ba celona [pho og aph]. Digi al e sion. 1777 x 2208 pixels and
72 dpi. Ba celona: Maio, 2016
Figu e 2. Fo na i, L . 22 In e nal a angemen s o 50x50 a ia ions, based on Mies Van de Rohe d awings
[d awings]. Digi al e sion. 3300x 840 pixels and 72 dpi. B asil : A qui ex os, 2011
Figu e 3. La Bo da. Unknown [digi al d awing]. 976x768 pixels and 300 dpi size. Digi al e sion. Ba celona: Laco,
2018
Figu e 4. Unknown au ho . View o he acade and dwelling ype p e-exis ing [pho og aph om a chi e].
Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona: Ajun amen o Ba celona , 2016
Figu e 5. Lao, M . Ac ual Facade [pho og aph om a chi e]. 3024 × 4032 size and 300 dpi . Ba celona: Lao,
2024
Figu e 6. Ce dà, I. Ba celona's su oundings plan be o e Plan Ce da. [Ink D awing on pape ]. 1984 × 1120 size
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: BCNROC, 1885.
Figu e 7. Unknown au ho . The A les amphi hea e as a medie al housing communi y s The A les
amphi hea e oday as a ou is si e. [Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ba celona: Wong, L, 2022
Figu e 8. Unknown au ho . Di e en housing ypologies, and ela ion wi h sense o belonging wi h he con ex .
[ Pho og aph ]. Unknown size. Ge many: No be g-Schulz, 1890.
Figu e 9. MAIO A chi ec s. Va ia ion o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee , CAD D awing. Digi al
e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. In: A qui ec u a Vi a [online]. Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o
layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361
pixels and 72 dpi. [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 10. ASTORGA, Daniel. Abs ac ion o layou dis ibu ion, scale ela ion be ween spaces. Made in Adobe
Illus a o [d awing]. Digi al e sion. 767x361 pixels and 72 dpi. A ailable a :
h ps://a qui ec u a i a.com/wo ks/22-housing-in-calle-p o enca [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 11. MAIO. Axonome ic Diag ams o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença S ee . Collage d awing.
Digi al e sion. 667x3024 pixels and 72 dpi. Ba celona: MAIO, 2016. In: MAIO A chi ec s [online]. A ailable a :
h ps://www.maio-a chi ec s.com/p ojec /110- ooms/ [Accessed: 16 Decembe 2024].
Figu e 12. MAIO. Spa ial P ede e mina ion o Public A eas Diag am o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a
P o ença S ee [d awing]. [Digi al e sion]. 1000x1415 pixels and 72 dpi. [Ba celona]: MAIO, 2016.
Figu e 13. Lao, M. In e nal View o 110 Rooms Collec i e Housing a P o ença s ee [pho og aph]. Digi al
e sion. 1000x1415 pixels and 72 dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M, 2024.
Figu e 14. Unknown au ho . Tex ile mo i o he açade sg a i o [pho og aph om a chi e]. Unknown
esolu ion. Ba celona: Ajun amen o Ba celona , 2016
27
Figu e 15. Lao, M. Di e en ma e ials in he in e io o he g ound loo . [pho og aph]. Digi al e sion.
1000x1415 pixels and 72 dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M, 2024.
Figu e 16. Lao, M. Di e en aspec s ela i e o ma e ial in a chi ec u al spaces. [Collage]. Digi al e sion. 206 ×
604 size and 72dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M. 2024.
Figu e 17. Sobe s, S. Mu a ion A-34, mu a ed plan s om a mix o P o idence weeds. [Pho og aph].
Digi al e sion. Unknown size. Ba celona: Sobe s, S. 2013.
Figu e 18. Lao, M. Mo a inish acade o 110 Rooms by MAIO . [Pho og aph om a chi e]. 206 × 604 size and
72dpi. Ba celona: Lao, M .2024
Figu e 19. As o ga, D. Di e en oom con igu a ions, lexible space, by MAIO. [Digi al d awing]. 1000x707 pixels
and 72 dpi. Ba celona: As o ga, D, 2024
Figu e 20. Maio. Na u al ligh ing and c oss en ila ion . [Digi al d awing]. 1000x707 pixels and 72 dpi.
Ba celona: Maio, 2024.
Figu e 21. Open da a Ba celona. Ren ing- Sales P ice in Ba celona . [Newspape ]. Unknown esolu ion.
Ba celona: Ajun amen de Ba celona , 2021.
Figu e 22. Velasco. L . Ren ing c isis in Ba celona Headline. [Newspape ]. Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona: El
País, 2024.
Figu e 23. Unknown au ho . Housing p oposal becomes a ola ile me can ilis p oduc . [Digi al media].
Unknown esolu ion. Ba celona, 2024.
28
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APRÈN
1.Ci cula ion ou
In his sec ion we will ake in o conside a ion Louis Kahn’s (1901-1974) de ini ion o se an and
se ed space o unde s and he ela ionship be ween dwellings and common ci cula ions in
collec i e housing designs. We will ocus on he consolida ion o he e ical nucleus as a ee
s anding elemen sepa a ed om he li ing uni s, while compa ing p ojec s o Richa d Roge s
(1933-2011), MBM A qui ec es (1951), and S udio B u he (2007) wi h La Ca bone ia.
Ve ical ci cula ion is a c ucial pa in a chi ec u e. I is he basis o collec i e housing layou s, since
dwelling akes place a uppe le els ha ely on i . S e en D. Edge de ines i in he sec ion Ve ical
ci cula ion o book Building Design and Cons uc ion Handbook (2004) “Ve ical ci cula ion o a ic
in a mul is o y building is he key o success ul unc ioning o he design, bo h in no mal use and in
eme gencies. In ac , loca ion o ele a o s o s ai s s ongly in luences he loo plan. So in he design
o a building, much hough should be gi en o he ype o e ical ci cula ion o be p o ided,
numbe o uni s needed, and hei loca ion, a angemen , and design.” Things u n o be mo e
impo an , when eno a ing an old collec i e housing such as La Ca bone ia. I is a challenge and a
chance o e hink he ela ionship be ween e ical ci cula ion and he exis ing building, inding a
s a egy o inc ease he li es o esiden s.
1.1 Concep o Ci cula ion Ou
In he mode n and con empo a y pe iod o a chi ec u e, he se an and se ed space is a opic o
be discussed and a ool o design wi h. Among all he a chi ec s, Louis Kahn showed g ea in e es in
Sco ish Cas les and de eloped his se an and se ed space heo y on his esea ch o hem. In i he
Fig. 4. B i ish Cas le Floo Plan Ske ches by Kahn. F.e: B ownlee, Da id B., and Da id G. De Long. Louis I. Kahn: In he Realm
o A chi ec u e. Los Angeles: Museum o Con empo a y A , Rizzoli, 1991. 68.

113
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La Ca bone ia: a s udy o he symbolic use o common ci cula ions APRÈN
1.Ci cula ion ou
In his sec ion we will ake in o conside a ion Louis Kahn’s (1901-1974) de ini ion o se an and
se ed space o unde s and he ela ionship be ween dwellings and common ci cula ions in
collec i e housing designs. We will ocus on he consolida ion o he e ical nucleus as a ee
s anding elemen sepa a ed om he li ing uni s, while compa ing p ojec s o Richa d Roge s
(1933-2011), MBM A qui ec es (1951), and S udio B u he (2007) wi h La Ca bone ia.
Ve ical ci cula ion is a c ucial pa in a chi ec u e. I is he basis o collec i e housing layou s, since
dwelling akes place a uppe le els ha ely on i . S e en D. Edge de ines i in he sec ion Ve ical
ci cula ion o book Building Design and Cons uc ion Handbook (2004) “Ve ical ci cula ion o a ic
in a mul is o y building is he key o success ul unc ioning o he design, bo h in no mal use and in
eme gencies. In ac , loca ion o ele a o s o s ai s s ongly in luences he loo plan. So in he design
o a building, much hough should be gi en o he ype o e ical ci cula ion o be p o ided,
numbe o uni s needed, and hei loca ion, a angemen , and design.” Things u n o be mo e
impo an , when eno a ing an old collec i e housing such as La Ca bone ia. I is a challenge and a
chance o e hink he ela ionship be ween e ical ci cula ion and he exis ing building, inding a
s a egy o inc ease he li es o esiden s.
1.1 Concep o Ci cula ion Ou
In he mode n and con empo a y pe iod o a chi ec u e, he se an and se ed space is a opic o
be discussed and a ool o design wi h. Among all he a chi ec s, Louis Kahn showed g ea in e es in
Sco ish Cas les and de eloped his se an and se ed space heo y on his esea ch o hem. In i he
Fig. 4. B i ish Cas le Floo Plan Ske ches by Kahn. F.e: B ownlee, Da id B., and Da id G. De Long. Louis I. Kahn: In he Realm
o A chi ec u e. Los Angeles: Museum o Con empo a y A , Rizzoli, 1991. 68.
de ined se an spaces as suppo a eas o se ed spaces. Common examples o se ice spaces Fig.5.
Clea plans show he ela ionship be ween ba h ooms, s o age ooms, and u ili y sha s. E en hough
se an spaces a e no he p ima y a eas o a building, hey a e essen ial o he unc ioning o i . On
he o he hand, se ed spaces a e whe e he building's main unc ions ake place. In esiden ial
buildings, hese a e exempli ied by spaces such as bed ooms and li ing ooms. Louis Kahn used his
heo y o o ganise his designs. In his a icle “O de in A chi ec u e” (1957), he men ioned ha “The
T en on Ba h House (1955) is de i ed om a concep o space o de in which he hollow columns
suppo ing he py amidal oo s dis inguish he spaces ha se e om hose being se ed.”1In his
simple house, we can see how his a chi ec u al philosophy began o c ys allize, especially he se an
and he se ed spaces. The loo plan is e y clea , ou ooms enclose a cou ya d, and each o he
ooms is suppo ed by ou squa e pilla s, which a e he space o oile s and o he in as uc u e.
Wha ’s mo e, in his p ojec o he Richa ds Medical Resea ch Labo a o ies (1965), he de eloped his
ela ionship and loca ed he se ices acili ies ou side o he labo a o y spaces. In his book “Louis I.
Khan” (2005) Robe Mcca e desc ibes his p ojec as a “A b eak h ough o Kahn, his design saw
his i s clea a icula ion o he concep o ‘se an ’ and ‘se ed’ spaces, in which he main
labo a o y spaces occupy he can ile e ed glazed co ne s, o ‘s udio’ as Kahn called hem, while he
se ices a e housed in independen ly s uc u ed e ical sha s s anding ou side he labo a o y
spaces.”2. Mcca e also hinks his b eak h ough was inspi ed by he La kin Building (1904-1906) o
F ank Lloyd W igh (1867-1959), a possible example o dealing wi h he se an and se ed spaces
be o e Kahn’s heo e ical con ibu ion. Howe e , Kahn is he ea lies a chi ec who clea ly men ioned
his concep and used i sys ema ically in a chi ec u e design. His ideas in luenced many a chi ec s
la e , o example Richa d Roge s (1933-2011).
Fig. 5. Clea plans show he ela ionship be ween se an spaces and he se ed spaces in Louis Kahn’s a chi ec u e. F.e: The
plans o he T en on Ba h House and he Richa ds Medical Resea ch Labo a o ies.
2Louis I. Kahn, Robe Mcca e , 2005, 124.
1Kahn, L. (1957). O de in A chi ec u e. Pe spec a,4, 58–63.
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Richa d Roge s de eloped his ela ionship u he . In Lloyd’s o London (1986), Richa d Roge s
de eloped his a chi ec u e idea in an o ice building, which usually ha e mo e di ided spaces han
cul u e building. Facing he challenge o c ea ing an a chi ec u e which has a wonde ul in e io
space expe ience wi h numbe s o ypical o ice spaces, Richa d Roge s ollowed he same guidelines
he used o he Pompidou cen e (1977), he Lloyd’s o London building appea s as i i has been
u ned inside ou . All he main e ical s ai cases and wash ooms a e suspended ou side he
building, lea ing la ge a eas o g ound wi h an a ium which a e he se ed spaces.
In he Lloyd’s o London, se an spaces a e no longe neglec ed a eas in he co ne s. Ins ead, hey
a e placed on he açades, becoming he p ima y elemen s. The epe i ion o hese singula elemen s
in ho izon al and e ical di ec ions c ea es a s ong sense o o de which de ines he building's
image and se es as he a chi ec 's design language. The se an spaces no only enhance hei
aes he ic alue bu ha e also become he mos impo an aspec o he a chi ec u al iden i y.
1.2 Ci cula ion ou in collec i e housing
When acing collec i e housing, he ela ionship be ween se an and se ed space is changed. In
public a chi ec u e, like museums and o ice buildings, he basic uni is he exhibi ion space and
wo king space. Howe e , in collec i e housing, he basic uni is a single apa men , consis ing o a
bed oom, li ing oom, ki chen, wash oom and o he space o s o age and in as uc u e. Tha
means, in public a chi ec u e, use s only ha e hei basic space o he use o he building's unc ion.
They sha e all he public spaces. Fo example, o ice wo ke s sha e mee ing ooms, wash ooms,
es au an s, and o he public spaces wi h o he wo ke s, bu in mos collec i e housing p ojec s,
esiden s only sha e ci cula ions be ween hem. The mos undamen al ela ionship in he sys em o
collec i e housing is he combina ion o esiden ial uni s and ci cula ion. In Louis Kahn’s Eshe ick
house design (1961), he ea ed showe , d essing, ki chen, s ai case, and wash oom as se an space
and o ganized hem in o modules, a anging se ice and se ed spaces al e na ely. Howe e , when in
a highe hie a chy o collec i e housing, esiden ’s uni s become he se ed spaces, while he
ci cula ion becomes he se an space.
F om he a o emen ioned cases, we can ind ha i we pu he se an spaces ou side o he se ed
spaces, he se ed spaces will be eely o ganized and o med, he e o e i becomes mo e lexible
and adap i e. In he case o Edi icio de Vi iendas Esco ial (1952-1955), MBM A qui ec es (1951)
chose o loca e he e ical ci cula ion ou side he main building, connec ing i wi h co ido s ha
appea e e y wo le els. F om he abs ac ion d awing below, we can e y clea ly see he clea
ela ionship be ween he e ical ci cula ion, co ido s and esiden ial apa men s, a di ided
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Richa d Roge s de eloped his ela ionship u he . In Lloyd’s o London (1986), Richa d Roge s
de eloped his a chi ec u e idea in an o ice building, which usually ha e mo e di ided spaces han
cul u e building. Facing he challenge o c ea ing an a chi ec u e which has a wonde ul in e io
space expe ience wi h numbe s o ypical o ice spaces, Richa d Roge s ollowed he same guidelines
he used o he Pompidou cen e (1977), he Lloyd’s o London building appea s as i i has been
u ned inside ou . All he main e ical s ai cases and wash ooms a e suspended ou side he
building, lea ing la ge a eas o g ound wi h an a ium which a e he se ed spaces.
In he Lloyd’s o London, se an spaces a e no longe neglec ed a eas in he co ne s. Ins ead, hey
a e placed on he açades, becoming he p ima y elemen s. The epe i ion o hese singula elemen s
in ho izon al and e ical di ec ions c ea es a s ong sense o o de which de ines he building's
image and se es as he a chi ec 's design language. The se an spaces no only enhance hei
aes he ic alue bu ha e also become he mos impo an aspec o he a chi ec u al iden i y.
1.2 Ci cula ion ou in collec i e housing
When acing collec i e housing, he ela ionship be ween se an and se ed space is changed. In
public a chi ec u e, like museums and o ice buildings, he basic uni is he exhibi ion space and
wo king space. Howe e , in collec i e housing, he basic uni is a single apa men , consis ing o a
bed oom, li ing oom, ki chen, wash oom and o he space o s o age and in as uc u e. Tha
means, in public a chi ec u e, use s only ha e hei basic space o he use o he building's unc ion.
They sha e all he public spaces. Fo example, o ice wo ke s sha e mee ing ooms, wash ooms,
es au an s, and o he public spaces wi h o he wo ke s, bu in mos collec i e housing p ojec s,
esiden s only sha e ci cula ions be ween hem. The mos undamen al ela ionship in he sys em o
collec i e housing is he combina ion o esiden ial uni s and ci cula ion. In Louis Kahn’s Eshe ick
house design (1961), he ea ed showe , d essing, ki chen, s ai case, and wash oom as se an space
and o ganized hem in o modules, a anging se ice and se ed spaces al e na ely. Howe e , when in
a highe hie a chy o collec i e housing, esiden ’s uni s become he se ed spaces, while he
ci cula ion becomes he se an space.
F om he a o emen ioned cases, we can ind ha i we pu he se an spaces ou side o he se ed
spaces, he se ed spaces will be eely o ganized and o med, he e o e i becomes mo e lexible
and adap i e. In he case o Edi icio de Vi iendas Esco ial (1952-1955), MBM A qui ec es (1951)
chose o loca e he e ical ci cula ion ou side he main building, connec ing i wi h co ido s ha
appea e e y wo le els. F om he abs ac ion d awing below, we can e y clea ly see he clea
ela ionship be ween he e ical ci cula ion, co ido s and esiden ial apa men s, a di ided
s ai case box, a long con inuous co ido and he same epea ed apa men s. The di ision o e ical
ci cula ion and main building enables a be e connec ion be ween he a chi ec u e and su ounding
spaces. Di e en om he inside e ical ci cula ion, people need o walk h ough he su ounding
spaces and he connec ing b idge which can imp o e he expe ience when esiden s go back o lea e
home. Wha ’s mo e, he ou side e ical ci cula ion, which has a pu e olume, i sel can be a isual
spa kle, a beau y symbol o u ban le el.
Fig. 6. Clea olume ela ionship be ween he e ical ci cula ion and he main building. F.e: Pe spec i e iew and he plan
d awing o he Edi icio de Vi iendas Esco ial
In he Maison Julie-Vic oi e Daubié (2018), S udio B u he (2007) pu all he e ical ci cula ion in he
middle o wo olumes, one in iangle o s ai case, one is a spi al s ai case and ano he cuboid
olume o ele a o . These h ee pu e e ical ci cula ions connec o a apezoidal pla o m be ween
bo h sides olumes, along wi h co ido s on ei he side o he pla o m, which a e he ho izon al
ci cula ion. Wi h all he ci cula ion di ided, he layou o housing can be o ganized eely. In he
Maison Julie-Vic oi e Daubié, he a chi ec epea ed he esiden ial uni s in a egula s uc u e o m.
This simple and o de ly s uc u e allows he building o ha e a ully anspa en and o de ed all-glass
açade. A he same ime, he clea unc ional o ganiza ion in olumes, combined wi h he açade,
shapes he building's o e all clean and dynamic ace.
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Fig. 7. Clean acade and le el plan wi h h ee ci cula ion co es, p o ides clea and e icien unc ional o ganiza ion,
conduci e o c ea ing a anspa en açade. F.e: The açade iew and plan d awing.
1.3 Ci cula ion ou in La Ca bone ía
Th ough he analysis o he a o emen ioned cases, we can obse e ha sepa a ing ci cula ion spaces
om esiden ial spaces achie es lexible layou designs o he main building’s esiden ial plans. This
allows o ee s uc u al a angemen s and enhances he anspa ency o he building’s açade,
which was he main aim he O ice o S a egic Spaces(1999- ) wan ed o achie e while eno a ing
La Ca bone ia.
Be o e eno a ion, he back acade o he o iginal building was acing an enclosed iangula pa io.
Due o a lack o use and poo accessibili y, he pa io was in an almos abandoned s a e. Howe e , as
we ha e s a ed be o e, his back acade was o iginally designed o be he main acade acing an
angled s ee wi h esh ai and all ees, and ha was wha he a chi ec u al s udio in cha ge o he
eno a ion wan ed o eminisce abou . In o de o achie e his, he s udio eo ganized he s uc u e
and edesigned he esiden ial layou o a mo e open and anspa en ea açade, s eng hening
and e i alizing he connec ion be ween he building and he pa io as hey eloca ed he o iginal
e ical ci cula ion co e in his cou ya d.
Acco ding o he o iginal plans, he e ical co e was in he cen e o La Ca bone ia, only consis ing o
a h ee- ligh s ai case.(Fig. 3 in he in oduc ion pa ) In his pe iod, each loo consis s o ou
apa men s a anged a ound a s ai case, wi h wo apa men s si ua ed along he building's dep h.
This layou esul ed in a long di iding wall in he o iginal building, sepa a ing he on and back. The
O ice o S a egic Spaces eloca ed he iple- ligh s ai case and co ido s, which p e iously
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Fig. 7. Clean acade and le el plan wi h h ee ci cula ion co es, p o ides clea and e icien unc ional o ganiza ion,
conduci e o c ea ing a anspa en açade. F.e: The açade iew and plan d awing.
1.3 Ci cula ion ou in La Ca bone ía
Th ough he analysis o he a o emen ioned cases, we can obse e ha sepa a ing ci cula ion spaces
om esiden ial spaces achie es lexible layou designs o he main building’s esiden ial plans. This
allows o ee s uc u al a angemen s and enhances he anspa ency o he building’s açade,
which was he main aim he O ice o S a egic Spaces(1999- ) wan ed o achie e while eno a ing
La Ca bone ia.
Be o e eno a ion, he back acade o he o iginal building was acing an enclosed iangula pa io.
Due o a lack o use and poo accessibili y, he pa io was in an almos abandoned s a e. Howe e , as
we ha e s a ed be o e, his back acade was o iginally designed o be he main acade acing an
angled s ee wi h esh ai and all ees, and ha was wha he a chi ec u al s udio in cha ge o he
eno a ion wan ed o eminisce abou . In o de o achie e his, he s udio eo ganized he s uc u e
and edesigned he esiden ial layou o a mo e open and anspa en ea açade, s eng hening
and e i alizing he connec ion be ween he building and he pa io as hey eloca ed he o iginal
e ical ci cula ion co e in his cou ya d.
Acco ding o he o iginal plans, he e ical co e was in he cen e o La Ca bone ia, only consis ing o
a h ee- ligh s ai case.(Fig. 3 in he in oduc ion pa ) In his pe iod, each loo consis s o ou
apa men s a anged a ound a s ai case, wi h wo apa men s si ua ed along he building's dep h.
This layou esul ed in a long di iding wall in he o iginal building, sepa a ing he on and back. The
O ice o S a egic Spaces eloca ed he iple- ligh s ai case and co ido s, which p e iously
occupied a signi ican po ion o he building’s in e io , o he co ne o he cou ya d.(Fig. 3 in he
in oduc ion pa ) As a esul , he a ea o iginally aken up by he ci cula ion spaces was success ully
eed up. The p e iously c amped and na ow in e io spaces became mo e spacious and b igh e ,
while he ela ionship be ween he pa io and he s ee açade in he loo plan was also imp o ed
and cla i ied. The ans o ma ion o he in e io is also e lec ed on he building’s açade, pa icula ly
he pa io- acing açade. The adjus men s o he loo plan allowed his açade o appea as i s
o iginal look—la ge loo - o-ceiling a ched like windows, as wha B u he achie ed in hei Maison
Julie-Vic oi e Daubié. The expe ience when you use he e ical ci cula ion also imp o es. As he case
o Edi icio de Vi iendas Esco ial, he back and lea ing expe ience o La Ca bone ia becomes a ied
and in e es ing, he esiden s need o go h ough he pa io, he new ci cula ion and he connec ing
b idges o go in o hei own apa men s. When you walk ups ai s in he o iginal walled s ai case, he
only hing you could eel is he endless walls and s ai s. Howe e , in he new ele a o and s ai case,
you can enjoy he pa io wi h i s b idges and you can in e ac wi h people. Jus as G aham S i k
(1957- ) says abou he Lloyd’s o London’s ex e nal ci cula ions in he book Richa d Roge s: Inside
Ou (2013), ” We u n an upli ing momen in o an upli ing expe ience.” The new açade design
exp esses he a chi ec ’s in en o p esen he building as i s o iginal design ision. The open and
anspa en açade, which econnec s he pa io and he building, he e ical ci cula ion co es
posi ioned along he bounda y o he un ealized planned s ee , and he e i alized pa io all con ey
his design in en .
1.4 B idge as ho izon al ci cula ion
Unlike he ypical ci cula ion o ganiza ions in collec i e housing, which ha e ex e nal e ical
ci cula ion co es combined wi h a epe i ion o he same co ido s in each loo , La Ca bone ia
adop s a iche ci cula ion sys em. By placing he e ical ci cula ion co e a he co ne o he pa io
and connec ing i o he esiden ial uni s in he main building on each loo wi h b idges, he building
achie es a comple e ex e naliza ion o ci cula ion spaces. The se an spaces a e comple ely di ided
wi h he se ed spaces. The pa io, as an ou doo space, con ains all he ci cula ion equi emen s. As
a esul , he in e io o he building only holds all he esiden ial uni s.
This s a egy shows a new a i ude o he connec ing b idges, as ho izon al elemen s o spa ial
a icula ion epea ed in di e en loca ions on he e ical dimension, c ea ing a isual spa kle in
wha was p e iously an emp y pa io. I can be a new ype o he ela ionship be ween he apa men
uni s and ci cula ions in collec i e housing. Ho izon al ci cula ions, usually co ido s, jus se ed as a
anspo a ion unc ion in mos cases, hey a e gene ally epea ed in e e y le el, wi h no change.
Howe e , in La Ca bone ia, he changing b idges a e no jus like hese co ido s, hey o e di e en

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expe iences in he di e en le els. They a e peace ully suspended in he la ge oid pa io wi h hei
i egula o ms. In his in-be ween pa io, he b idges a e he only exis ence. Thei exis ence no only
p ese es he in eg i y o he in-be ween pa io, bu also emphasizes he oidness o i , imp o ing i s
a mosphe e, while u ning i in o a meaning ul and com o able expe ience. These b idges, as a new
symbol o collec i e spi i and iden i y, changed he pa io wi h aes he ic exp ession, ans o ming i
in o a de ining ea u e o he new La Ca bone ia.
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expe iences in he di e en le els. They a e peace ully suspended in he la ge oid pa io wi h hei
i egula o ms. In his in-be ween pa io, he b idges a e he only exis ence. Thei exis ence no only
p ese es he in eg i y o he in-be ween pa io, bu also emphasizes he oidness o i , imp o ing i s
a mosphe e, while u ning i in o a meaning ul and com o able expe ience. These b idges, as a new
symbol o collec i e spi i and iden i y, changed he pa io wi h aes he ic exp ession, ans o ming i
in o a de ining ea u e o he new La Ca bone ia.
2. Th esholds, mo emen and ime in common ci cula ions
Th esholds a e spaces whe e he ansi ion amids he inside and he ou side, he p i a e and he
public, he ci y and he house, akes place. In his sec ion we will discuss he concep o in-be ween
spaces in La Ca bone ia’s common ci cula ions, h ough he w i ings o Pa izio M. Ma inelli (1970)
and Till Boe ge (1974). Fu he mo e, we will explo e he ela ionship be ween hese ansi ional
spaces, mo emen , and ime, while we examine he in e iews ca ied ou by Ila Beka (1968) and
Louise Lemoine (1981) o some o he mos in luen ial a chi ec s in he phenomenological ield.
2.1 Space as a mo ion expe ience
One o he mos common de ini ions o a chi ec u e can be conside ed o be he a o designing and
building spaces, bu i we use a phenomenological app oach, we would ac ually alk abou designing
and li ing expe iences, a he han simple places (Holl, Pallasmaa, Pe ez Gomez, 1994). I we ollow
he w i ings o Pa izio M. Ma inelli and Till Boe ge , o ind a middle g ound, we would ha e o
de ine di e en ca ego iza ions o space.
On one hand, in Inside he Façade: The Inhabi ed Space Be ween Domes ic and U ban Realms (2019)
Pa izio M. Ma inelli makes he dis inc ion be ween space as a con aine and space as a
cons ella ion o objec s. In he i s case, space is a sel -con ained en i y wi h de ined bounda ies, “a
con aine ha exis s e en i no illed wi h objec s”. In he second case, space consis s o he
ela ionships and dis ibu ion o a g oup o objec s o elemen s, “I would call “disposi ion” he ac o
c ea ing space.” Bu , i we wan ed o pu La Ca bone ia’s in e en ion in only one o hese ca ego ies,
i would no qui e i . The iangula exis ing pa io has clea physical limi s, as i is enclosed be ween
wo pa i walls and he own building acade. Ne e heless, he new p ojec is c a ed as he addi ion
o di e en elemen s and he links be ween hem: he s ai s, he pa hways, he ege a ion, he
s uc u e, and he windows ha also wo k as doo ways.
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Fig. 8. An addi ion o elemen s lis ed in o de : he s ai s, he sun ligh e lec ion sys em o he s uc u e co e ing he pa i
wall, he new in e io acade, he pa hways.
On he o he hand, in he i s chap e o Th eshold Spaces: T ansi ions in A chi ec u e: Analysis and
Design Tools (2014) Till Boe ge di ides spaces om a di e en poin o iew, he s a es ha he e
a e p esen ed spaces and expe ienced spaces. The p esen ed space is simila o wha Ma inelli
called con aine space, as i is unde s ood as a s a ic sys em o elemen s whe e he ocus is on
aes he ics, p opo ions, and geome y. Whe eas, he expe ienced space ollows a Pallasmaan
a mosphe ic pa h (Holl, Pallasmaa,2014), i highligh s he human pe cep ion o a place, i “ esul s
om he dynamics be ween indi idual, subjec , and p esen ed space.”, Boe ge s a es. The e o e,
he e is no space, i he e is no one o expe ience i . In La Ca bone ia, he e is a clea in en ion o
c ea ing an expe ience. The O ice o S a egic Spaces unde s ood he common s ai and
ci cula ions, no as a me e unc ional elemen ha needed o op imize su ace and esou ces, bu as
he hea o he collec i e housing. The pa hways and b idges b ake and change di ec ion o c ea e a
p omenade, a o m o na a i e o he use s.
Hence, ollowing bo h au ho s, we unde s and he h eshold in La Ca bone ia as he ela ionship
be ween he dynamic o he elemen s in space and how people pe cei e i . Howe e , “The
a mosphe es o a space can only be pe cei ed by s olling h ough i o by imme sion in i . [...] he
pe cep ual p ocess is dependen on mo emen in he space wi hin a pa icula pe iod o ime.”, as
Boe ge says. So, o alk abou pe cep ion we need o alk abou mo emen , and o alk abou
mo emen we need o alk abou ime. Unde his ligh , i is no a su p ise ha he key elemen o La
Ca bone ia’s in-be ween space is a ci cula ion nucleus, an elemen ha has a dynamic na u e.
2.2 Time and na a i e in h esholds
Th esholds appea o in e up bounda ies, hey a e an in i a ion o c oss om one side o he o he ,
om he public uni e se o he p i a e eign. Howe e , in collec i e housing, he e is a g adien o
p i acy o be conside ed, he e is he ci y, he collec i e space, and hen he house. E enmo e, he e
a e also ansi ions in-be ween hose h ee s ages, and as hese limi s become mo e complex and
ambiguous, bounda ies a e no longe a s and alone elemen , bu hey hicken and become a
con inuous space, in o he wo ds, hey u n in o a h eshold.
In La Ca bone ia, he h eshold space is p esen no as an a ea, bu as a h ee dimensional
p omenade. F om he g ound loo , he ci cula ion s uc u e appea s almos as a sculp u e, and in a
ba oque ashion, i can no be ully unde s ood wi hou mo ing a ound i . The e is almos no s aigh
line o ollow, he b idges a e no pa allel o he a chi ec u e, he columns o he s ai s ollow a “V”
shape, and he columns o he g een wall each he g ound as bu esses. The dynamism o he lines
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Fig. 8. An addi ion o elemen s lis ed in o de : he s ai s, he sun ligh e lec ion sys em o he s uc u e co e ing he pa i
wall, he new in e io acade, he pa hways.
On he o he hand, in he i s chap e o Th eshold Spaces: T ansi ions in A chi ec u e: Analysis and
Design Tools (2014) Till Boe ge di ides spaces om a di e en poin o iew, he s a es ha he e
a e p esen ed spaces and expe ienced spaces. The p esen ed space is simila o wha Ma inelli
called con aine space, as i is unde s ood as a s a ic sys em o elemen s whe e he ocus is on
aes he ics, p opo ions, and geome y. Whe eas, he expe ienced space ollows a Pallasmaan
a mosphe ic pa h (Holl, Pallasmaa,2014), i highligh s he human pe cep ion o a place, i “ esul s
om he dynamics be ween indi idual, subjec , and p esen ed space.”, Boe ge s a es. The e o e,
he e is no space, i he e is no one o expe ience i . In La Ca bone ia, he e is a clea in en ion o
c ea ing an expe ience. The O ice o S a egic Spaces unde s ood he common s ai and
ci cula ions, no as a me e unc ional elemen ha needed o op imize su ace and esou ces, bu as
he hea o he collec i e housing. The pa hways and b idges b ake and change di ec ion o c ea e a
p omenade, a o m o na a i e o he use s.
Hence, ollowing bo h au ho s, we unde s and he h eshold in La Ca bone ia as he ela ionship
be ween he dynamic o he elemen s in space and how people pe cei e i . Howe e , “The
a mosphe es o a space can only be pe cei ed by s olling h ough i o by imme sion in i . [...] he
pe cep ual p ocess is dependen on mo emen in he space wi hin a pa icula pe iod o ime.”, as
Boe ge says. So, o alk abou pe cep ion we need o alk abou mo emen , and o alk abou
mo emen we need o alk abou ime. Unde his ligh , i is no a su p ise ha he key elemen o La
Ca bone ia’s in-be ween space is a ci cula ion nucleus, an elemen ha has a dynamic na u e.
2.2 Time and na a i e in h esholds
Th esholds appea o in e up bounda ies, hey a e an in i a ion o c oss om one side o he o he ,
om he public uni e se o he p i a e eign. Howe e , in collec i e housing, he e is a g adien o
p i acy o be conside ed, he e is he ci y, he collec i e space, and hen he house. E enmo e, he e
a e also ansi ions in-be ween hose h ee s ages, and as hese limi s become mo e complex and
ambiguous, bounda ies a e no longe a s and alone elemen , bu hey hicken and become a
con inuous space, in o he wo ds, hey u n in o a h eshold.
In La Ca bone ia, he h eshold space is p esen no as an a ea, bu as a h ee dimensional
p omenade. F om he g ound loo , he ci cula ion s uc u e appea s almos as a sculp u e, and in a
ba oque ashion, i can no be ully unde s ood wi hou mo ing a ound i . The e is almos no s aigh
line o ollow, he b idges a e no pa allel o he a chi ec u e, he columns o he s ai s ollow a “V”
shape, and he columns o he g een wall each he g ound as bu esses. The dynamism o he lines
oge he wi h he laye ing o elemen s, c ea e a na a i e sequence o he use s o walk h ough.
The pa hways do no ollow he mos di ec ou e om one poin o he o he , bu a he p opose
di e en poin s o iews acco ding o he le el and side o he building hey a e in. The in e en ion
becomes i s own ago a wi hin he building, i in i es he use s o u n in o laneu s (Benjamin, 1982)
and oam h ough i , i s b idges and pla o ms allow neighbo s o see and alk o one ano he .
Fig. 9. The ci cula ion b idges shown as a h ee dimensional p omenade
In consequence, e en when he h eshold in La Ca bone ia holds he s ai case, one o he mos
p agma ic elemen s in a building, unc ionali y is no he main objec i e. The e is a clea aim o
c ea e a new hy hm, a di e en pace om he public s ee . Till Boe ge says, “obs acles a e se up
wi h he in en ion o slowing down he app oach in he planned spa ial sequence.”. The in e en ion
is no only a ansi ional space bu also a ansi ional momen in he inhabi an s li e.
In h eshold spaces, he jou ney om one place o ano he needs o ollow a p ecise speed, i needs
o o e he use s enough ime o eel hey a e in a ansi ional s a e, wi hou being mono onous. The
hus le o he s ee s, he a ic aced o ge back home, he con lic s a wo k, should somehow be
le behind as we walked h ough he in-be ween space ha guides us owa ds ou home. The senses
need o be igni ed o make us p esen and awa e o ou su oundings in a sub le manne . The design
should ake us gen ly om one s a e o ano he as a na a o in a s o y. In The Emo ional Powe o
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One o he a chi ec u al ends obse ed in La Ca bone ia’s in e en ion is he ans o ma ion o
balcony windows in o he p ima y en ances o esidences. This change challenges he es ablished
social and a chi ec u al s uc u alism which assumes a ce ain accep ed and consolida ed
o ganiza ion in li ing spaces. I aises in iguing ques ions: why does socie y no ypically en e
homes h ough balconies? O why is he e no ba h oom in he ki chen? These a angemen s a e
oo ed in deep-sea ed social no ms, bu o wha ex en a e hey uly ing ained?
Ci cula ion pa e ns ely on he obse e 's s uc u alis pe cep ion. This phenomenon highligh s he
ela i i y o design, as in e p e a ions depend on he iewe 's posi ion and pe spec i e. To some,
esiden s migh appea o be en e ing hei homes h ough he balcony; o o he s, hey a e accessing
hem app op ia ely, acknowledging he shi in usage and ypology.
The change in pe spec i e is due o he decen aliza ion o ci cula ion, which occupies he o me
cou ya d and c ea es a sha ed space o bo h mo emen and ga he ing. This shi sugges s a
eo ganiza ion o he acades, as hey a e now all isible, in oducing a ela i e in e p e a ion o he
wall su ace: whe he hidden o exposed, i equi es ea men in ei he case. This in e en ion calls
o a logical and c i ical eassessmen o he acade, adop ing an inside-ou app oach.

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One o he a chi ec u al ends obse ed in La Ca bone ia’s in e en ion is he ans o ma ion o
balcony windows in o he p ima y en ances o esidences. This change challenges he es ablished
social and a chi ec u al s uc u alism which assumes a ce ain accep ed and consolida ed
o ganiza ion in li ing spaces. I aises in iguing ques ions: why does socie y no ypically en e
homes h ough balconies? O why is he e no ba h oom in he ki chen? These a angemen s a e
oo ed in deep-sea ed social no ms, bu o wha ex en a e hey uly ing ained?
Ci cula ion pa e ns ely on he obse e 's s uc u alis pe cep ion. This phenomenon highligh s he
ela i i y o design, as in e p e a ions depend on he iewe 's posi ion and pe spec i e. To some,
esiden s migh appea o be en e ing hei homes h ough he balcony; o o he s, hey a e accessing
hem app op ia ely, acknowledging he shi in usage and ypology.
The change in pe spec i e is due o he decen aliza ion o ci cula ion, which occupies he o me
cou ya d and c ea es a sha ed space o bo h mo emen and ga he ing. This shi sugges s a
eo ganiza ion o he acades, as hey a e now all isible, in oducing a ela i e in e p e a ion o he
wall su ace: whe he hidden o exposed, i equi es ea men in ei he case. This in e en ion calls
o a logical and c i ical eassessmen o he acade, adop ing an inside-ou app oach.
4. Inside Ou , The Pa adox o La Ca bone ia
This in e play o ansi ional spaces and laye ed expe iences pa allels he b oade pa adox o La
Ca bone ia, whe e i s plain, unado ned s ee - acing acade seems almos anonymous, delibe a ely
unde s a ed in a ci y celeb a ed o i s lamboyan mode nis landma ks. Ye , his simplici y conceals
a iche na a i e e ealed h ough i s in ica e and exp essi e in e io - acing ele a ion, which o e s
a s iking con as . This duali y highligh s he ension be ween ou wa d appea ance and inne
complexi y, encou aging us o econside whe e a chi ec u al alue esides. Is i in he abili y o
dazzle a i s glance, o in he deepe esonance ha eme ges wi h close examina ion? By
challenging he p imacy o isibili y, La Ca bone ia in i es us o ind beau y and meaning beyond
su ace imp essions, emphasizing he laye ed s o ies ha a chi ec u e can hold.
Fig.15. The i s pic u e shows he ex e io o La Ca bone ia, a plain and unassuming açade wi h no hing pa icula ly
s iking. In con as , he second pic u e e eals he in e io - acing ele a ion, which is in ica e, exp essi e, and ull o
cap i a ing de ails.
This duali y esona es deeply wi h Sø en Kie kegaa d’s (1813 - 1855) explo a ion o he ension
be ween ex e nal appea ances and inne u h. Jus as La Ca bone ia conceals i s a chi ec u al
ib ancy wi hin, Kie kegaa d’s asse ion in Concluding Unscien i ic Pos sc ip (1941)— ha " u h is
subjec i i y"—emphasizes ha he essence o exis ence is o en hidden benea h he su ace,
shielded om public iew. Fo Kie kegaa d, u h is no an objec i e, ex e nal ac , bu a deeply
pe sonal eali y o be expe ienced inwa dly. Simila ly, he essence o La Ca bone ia—i s a chi ec u al
" u h"—is no immedia ely isible, bu a he un olds h ough in ima e, delibe a e engagemen wi h
he building.
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Kie kegaa d u he e lec s on he con lic be ween he oles we play ex e nally and ou in e nal
con ic ions. This in e nal s uggle, illumina ed by conscience, pushes indi iduals owa d au hen ici y
and an exis en ial li e g ounded in hei ue sel es. La Ca bone ia’s hidden açade exempli ies his
philosophy, ese ing i s mos genuine exp ession o a p i a e ealm, esis ing he supe icial
judgmen o public app aisal. The building’s delibe a e concealmen o i s exp essi e in e io aligns
wi h Kie kegaa d’s c i ique o socie y’s obsession wi h ex e nal alida ion. Like Kie kegaa d’s c i ique
o shallow socie al no ms, La Ca bone ia o e s a bold a chi ec u al esponse o he p imacy o
ou wa d display, u ging us o econside he alue o wha lies benea h he su ace. In wo ks like The
Sickness Un o Dea h (1849), Kie kegaa d c i iques how mode n socie y’s obsession wi h ex e nal
alida ion and con o mi y o en masks deepe , mo e meaning ul u hs. He a gues ha indi iduals, in
hei ques o app o al om o he s, ail o con on he in e nal, subjec i e eali y o hei exis ence,
which is cen al o pe sonal au hen ici y and spi i ual ul illmen . Simila ly, La Ca bone ia’s
unassuming s ee - acing açade, in en ionally plain and almos anonymous, esis s he end in
con empo a y a chi ec u e o p io i ize spec acle. By p esen ing a es ained ex e io , he building
ejec s he impulse o imp ess passe sby wi h g andeu o o namen a ion.
This choice in design mi o s Kie kegaa d’s philosophy, which insis s ha au hen ic exis ence is no
ound in shallow judgmen s o public app o al, bu in an inwa d, subjec i e engagemen wi h one’s
ue sel . Jus as Kie kegaa d c i icizes he supe icial pu sui o socie al ecogni ion, he u ges
indi iduals o look inwa d o u h and meaning, ee om he dis ac ions o ou wa d appea ances
(Kie kegaa d, Ei he /O , 1843). Simila ly, La Ca bone ia in i es deepe engagemen by encou aging
obse e s o look beyond he su ace o he building o unco e he in ica e beau y and symbolic
ichness concealed wi hin.
The con as be ween he plain ex e io and he exp essi e, de ail- ich in e io o La Ca bone ia
embodies he e y essence o Kie kegaa d’s c i ique o socie al no ms. In Fea and T embling (1843),
Kie kegaa d explo es he ension be ween ex e nal oles and in e nal con ic ion, emphasizing he
impo ance o au hen ic, indi idual expe ience o e social expec a ions. La Ca bone ia’s hidden
ichness, e ealed only upon close inspec ion, mi o s Kie kegaa d’s concep o subjec i e u h,
whe e he co e o exis ence is o en bu ied benea h supe icial laye s, equi ing in ospec ion and
pe sonal engagemen o uly unde s and.
In his way, La Ca bone ia, like Kie kegaa d’s c i ique, challenges us o econside ou ela ionship
wi h appea ances. A e we con en o admi e he isible açade o he building, o do we en u e
deepe o unco e he mo e p o ound, hidden na a i es i con ains? Jus as Kie kegaa d u ges
indi iduals o b eak ee om socie al p essu es and seek au hen ici y, La Ca bone ia’s design in i es
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Kie kegaa d u he e lec s on he con lic be ween he oles we play ex e nally and ou in e nal
con ic ions. This in e nal s uggle, illumina ed by conscience, pushes indi iduals owa d au hen ici y
and an exis en ial li e g ounded in hei ue sel es. La Ca bone ia’s hidden açade exempli ies his
philosophy, ese ing i s mos genuine exp ession o a p i a e ealm, esis ing he supe icial
judgmen o public app aisal. The building’s delibe a e concealmen o i s exp essi e in e io aligns
wi h Kie kegaa d’s c i ique o socie y’s obsession wi h ex e nal alida ion. Like Kie kegaa d’s c i ique
o shallow socie al no ms, La Ca bone ia o e s a bold a chi ec u al esponse o he p imacy o
ou wa d display, u ging us o econside he alue o wha lies benea h he su ace. In wo ks like The
Sickness Un o Dea h (1849), Kie kegaa d c i iques how mode n socie y’s obsession wi h ex e nal
alida ion and con o mi y o en masks deepe , mo e meaning ul u hs. He a gues ha indi iduals, in
hei ques o app o al om o he s, ail o con on he in e nal, subjec i e eali y o hei exis ence,
which is cen al o pe sonal au hen ici y and spi i ual ul illmen . Simila ly, La Ca bone ia’s
unassuming s ee - acing açade, in en ionally plain and almos anonymous, esis s he end in
con empo a y a chi ec u e o p io i ize spec acle. By p esen ing a es ained ex e io , he building
ejec s he impulse o imp ess passe sby wi h g andeu o o namen a ion.
This choice in design mi o s Kie kegaa d’s philosophy, which insis s ha au hen ic exis ence is no
ound in shallow judgmen s o public app o al, bu in an inwa d, subjec i e engagemen wi h one’s
ue sel . Jus as Kie kegaa d c i icizes he supe icial pu sui o socie al ecogni ion, he u ges
indi iduals o look inwa d o u h and meaning, ee om he dis ac ions o ou wa d appea ances
(Kie kegaa d, Ei he /O , 1843). Simila ly, La Ca bone ia in i es deepe engagemen by encou aging
obse e s o look beyond he su ace o he building o unco e he in ica e beau y and symbolic
ichness concealed wi hin.
The con as be ween he plain ex e io and he exp essi e, de ail- ich in e io o La Ca bone ia
embodies he e y essence o Kie kegaa d’s c i ique o socie al no ms. In Fea and T embling (1843),
Kie kegaa d explo es he ension be ween ex e nal oles and in e nal con ic ion, emphasizing he
impo ance o au hen ic, indi idual expe ience o e social expec a ions. La Ca bone ia’s hidden
ichness, e ealed only upon close inspec ion, mi o s Kie kegaa d’s concep o subjec i e u h,
whe e he co e o exis ence is o en bu ied benea h supe icial laye s, equi ing in ospec ion and
pe sonal engagemen o uly unde s and.
In his way, La Ca bone ia, like Kie kegaa d’s c i ique, challenges us o econside ou ela ionship
wi h appea ances. A e we con en o admi e he isible açade o he building, o do we en u e
deepe o unco e he mo e p o ound, hidden na a i es i con ains? Jus as Kie kegaa d u ges
indi iduals o b eak ee om socie al p essu es and seek au hen ici y, La Ca bone ia’s design in i es
us o engage wi h he complexi y benea h he su ace, whe e ue meaning and alue eside.
Th ough i s a chi ec u e, he building echoes Kie kegaa d’s call o indi iduals o mo e beyond
ex e nal expec a ions and emb ace he deepe u hs ha can only be ound h ough di ec ,
hough ul engagemen wi h he wo ld a ound us.
The ou wa d, s ee - acing açade o La Ca bone ia is almos anonymous, blending in o i s
su oundings. This in en ional simplici y s ands in s a k con as o he in e io - acing ele a ion,
which bu s s wi h cha ac e and de ail, ewa ding hose who engage wi h i . Simila ly, Kie kegaa d’s
concep o he "single indi idual"—who inds meaning h ough in ospec ion a he han h ough
socie al expec a ions—encou ages us o seek signi icance beyond su ace-le el imp essions. Bo h
Kie kegaa d and La Ca bone ia challenge us o econside he ue na u e o alue, u ging us o look
benea h he su ace o unco e he au hen ic essence.
4.1 The Leap o Fai h and Radical F eedom
Kie kegaa d’s concep o he “leap o ai h” o e s ano he compelling lens h ough which o
unde s and La Ca bone ia. The leap ep esen s an emb ace o unce ain y, a willingness o us in
he unknown as a pa hway owa d ue eedom—an e hos embodied in he building’s laye ed
symbolism (Kie kegaa d, 1843). Jus as Kie kegaa d u ges indi iduals o li e au hen ically, ee om
socie al cons ain s, La Ca bone ia in i es a deepe engagemen , u ging obse e s o mo e beyond
i s plain ex e io and unco e i s hidden i ali y.
This ac o disco e y mi o s Kie kegaa d’s e hics o indi iduali y, whe e au hen ici y is ound in
ejec ing con o mi y and emb acing deepe explo a ion (Kie kegaa d, 1843). His amous pa able o
he ame geese5, who p each he joys o eedom ye emain ea hbound, se es as a me apho o
he human condi ion. These geese, despi e hei wo ds, ne e ake ligh — apped by hei ou ines
and by he illusion o eedom. Simila ly, La Ca bone ia c i iques he a chi ec u al endency o a o
isual lamboyance o e hough ul, meaning ul design while many buildings in Ba celona p io i ize
dazzling açades o imp ess a i s glance.
La Ca bone ia’s inne açade, hidden om he casual gaze, da es o ejec he lamboyan hea ics
o en associa ed wi h public- acing a chi ec u e. I s in ica e and exp essi e design esides in a
p i a e ealm, demanding a le el o engagemen and cu iosi y o unco e i s ue essence. This
e usal o con o m o expec a ions pa allels Kie kegaa d’s insis ence on indi iduali y as an inwa d
5Pa able o he ame geese When he ligh o he wild geese is hea d in he ai and he e a e ame geese down on he
g ound, he ame geese a e ins an ly awa e o i and o a ce ain deg ee hey unde s and wha i means; his is why hey also
s a up, bea hei wings, c y ou and ly along he g ound a piece in awkwa d, con used diso de .
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jou ney—one ha esis s socie al p essu es o con o m o appea ances. While many buildings in
Ba celona dazzle wi h o na e açades mean o imp ess a i s glance, La Ca bone ia asks a di e en
ques ion: is a chi ec u e’s pu pose o as onish, o o p o ide a space ha esona es deeply wi h
hose who expe ience i ully?
The in e play be ween La Ca bone ia and Kie kegaa d’s philosophy also aises b oade ques ions
abou how we engage wi h he wo ld. A e we con en o admi e açades— he me apho ical
“p eaching geese”—o do we da e o seek wha lies beyond hem? Much like he geese in
Kie kegaa d’s pa able mus lea e he sa e y o he g ound o expe ience he eedom o ligh .
4.2 La Ca bone ia as a B idge Be ween Realms
La Ca bone ia exempli ies how a chi ec u e can ac as a dynamic b idge be ween public and p i a e
ealms, c ea ing wha a chi ec u al heo is s e e o as “ hick inhabi ed spaces” (Thibaud, 2001).
These spaces blu he igid bounda ies be ween in e io and ex e io , os e ing luid in e ac ion and
connec ion ac oss social and physical di ides. The building’s s ee - acing açade, ado ned wi h he
symbolic image y o a ho ai balloon and su ounding d awings, ex ends i s na a i e beyond he
con ines o a chi ec u e. This whimsical image y in i es cu iosi y and engagemen , allowing La
Ca bone ia o esona e wi h bo h passe sby and he collec i e memo y o Ba celona. The building
becomes mo e han a shel e —i becomes a cul u al and social pa icipan in he ci y, con ibu ing o
he u ban ab ic in ways ha anscend i s me e aes he ic alue.
The no ion o “po osi y,” as seen in La Ca bone ia’s design, is essen ial o i s ole in u ban discou se.
Thibaud (2001) desc ibes po osi y as he abili y o spaces o o e accessibili y h ough isual and
symbolic in e ac ion, a he han di ec physical en y. La Ca bone ia’s açade embodies his concep ,
c ea ing an open dialogue wi h he ci y’s inhabi an s h ough i s isual language. The açade does no
jus se e as an a chi ec u al bounda y bu as an in i a ion—an en y poin o in e ac ion ha
allows people o connec wi h he building’s deepe laye s, e en wi hou c ossing i s h eshold. In
his way, La Ca bone ia challenges adi ional no ions o p i a e and public space, pushing he
bounda ies o a chi ec u al engagemen .
By employing symbolic image y and an open a chi ec u al language, La Ca bone ia ex ends he idea
o “po osi y” in u ban design. The building becomes mo e han jus a place o esidence; i becomes
a si e o con inuous in e ac ion, in i ing bo h public pa icipa ion and p i a e e lec ion. Th ough his
design, La Ca bone ia exempli ies how a chi ec u e can shape social and cul u al exchange in bo h
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jou ney—one ha esis s socie al p essu es o con o m o appea ances. While many buildings in
Ba celona dazzle wi h o na e açades mean o imp ess a i s glance, La Ca bone ia asks a di e en
ques ion: is a chi ec u e’s pu pose o as onish, o o p o ide a space ha esona es deeply wi h
hose who expe ience i ully?
The in e play be ween La Ca bone ia and Kie kegaa d’s philosophy also aises b oade ques ions
abou how we engage wi h he wo ld. A e we con en o admi e açades— he me apho ical
“p eaching geese”—o do we da e o seek wha lies beyond hem? Much like he geese in
Kie kegaa d’s pa able mus lea e he sa e y o he g ound o expe ience he eedom o ligh .
4.2 La Ca bone ia as a B idge Be ween Realms
La Ca bone ia exempli ies how a chi ec u e can ac as a dynamic b idge be ween public and p i a e
ealms, c ea ing wha a chi ec u al heo is s e e o as “ hick inhabi ed spaces” (Thibaud, 2001).
These spaces blu he igid bounda ies be ween in e io and ex e io , os e ing luid in e ac ion and
connec ion ac oss social and physical di ides. The building’s s ee - acing açade, ado ned wi h he
symbolic image y o a ho ai balloon and su ounding d awings, ex ends i s na a i e beyond he
con ines o a chi ec u e. This whimsical image y in i es cu iosi y and engagemen , allowing La
Ca bone ia o esona e wi h bo h passe sby and he collec i e memo y o Ba celona. The building
becomes mo e han a shel e —i becomes a cul u al and social pa icipan in he ci y, con ibu ing o
he u ban ab ic in ways ha anscend i s me e aes he ic alue.
The no ion o “po osi y,” as seen in La Ca bone ia’s design, is essen ial o i s ole in u ban discou se.
Thibaud (2001) desc ibes po osi y as he abili y o spaces o o e accessibili y h ough isual and
symbolic in e ac ion, a he han di ec physical en y. La Ca bone ia’s açade embodies his concep ,
c ea ing an open dialogue wi h he ci y’s inhabi an s h ough i s isual language. The açade does no
jus se e as an a chi ec u al bounda y bu as an in i a ion—an en y poin o in e ac ion ha
allows people o connec wi h he building’s deepe laye s, e en wi hou c ossing i s h eshold. In
his way, La Ca bone ia challenges adi ional no ions o p i a e and public space, pushing he
bounda ies o a chi ec u al engagemen .
By employing symbolic image y and an open a chi ec u al language, La Ca bone ia ex ends he idea
o “po osi y” in u ban design. The building becomes mo e han jus a place o esidence; i becomes
a si e o con inuous in e ac ion, in i ing bo h public pa icipa ion and p i a e e lec ion. Th ough his
design, La Ca bone ia exempli ies how a chi ec u e can shape social and cul u al exchange in bo h
sub le and p o ound ways, encou aging a iche , mo e engaging ela ionship be ween he ci y and i s
inhabi an s.
4.3 F ames o Visibili y and he U ban Na a i e
Mo eo e , La Ca bone ia’s ole in aming isibili y in he public ealm, bo h in e ms o he building’s
his o ical p esence and i s social signi icance, e lec s he “ ames o isibili y” desc ibed in he s udy
o u ban space. The unique açade o he building s ands ou no only o i s design bu o he way i
in e ac s wi h ligh , pe cep ion, and i s u ban con ex . As an a chi ec u al elemen , i unc ions as
wha Thibaud (2001) desc ibes as a " o m o ligh ," shi ing be ween p ominence and sub le y
depending on he pe spec i e om which i is iewed. This dynamic quali y c ea es h ee dis inc
condi ions o isual ecep ion: o e exposu e, whe e he açade makes a bold and s iking isual
s a emen ; il e ing, whe e i highligh s speci ic symbolic meanings embedded in i s design; and
silhoue ing, whe e i s o m is emphasized as a dis inc ou line agains he ci y’s landscape. Toge he ,
hese aspec s make he açade a powe ul media o be ween he building and i s su oundings,
en iching i s isual and symbolic p esence (Thibaud, 2001).
In designing and analyzing u ban spaces like La Ca bone ia, açades can anscend hei s uc u al
unc ion, o ganizing ligh , isibili y, and in e ac ion wi h he public. La Ca bone ia’s combina ion o
symbolic a and a chi ec u al design p o ides a powe ul example o how u ban design can c ea e
spaces ha “in i e en ance” and encou age engagemen wi h he ci y, blending he p i a e and
public sphe es in o a cohesi e, symbolic u ban na a i e.
Fig. 16. The igu e shows he açade be o e and a e he eno a ion, pain ed in a b own colo .(a ibu ed o: Balcells 2023).
La Ca bone ia is no me ely a building bu a philosophical s a emen . I s con as ing açades compel
us o conside he ela ionship be ween ex e nal appea ances and in e nal u hs, be ween public
spec acle and p i a e au hen ici y. Th ough i s design, i challenges con en ional a chi ec u al no ms,
engaging Kie kegaa d’s exis en ial hemes o subjec i i y, eedom, and au hen ici y. In doing so, La

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Ca bone ia becomes a li ing me apho , u ging bo h a chi ec s and indi iduals o anscend he
supe icial, emb ace he unseen, and da e o disco e he dep h wi hin.
5. Memo y o Place
In his sec ion, we will explo e he ela ionship be ween memo y, a chi ec u e, and powe , examining
how spaces p ese e o ans o m his o ical na a i es o e ime. We will de ine he concep o
Memo y o Place h ough he w i ings o Ma i H a um(1968), Hen i Le eb e (1901–1991), and
Dylan T igg(1980), unde s anding i s dynamic cha ac e and i s ole in b idging he i age wi h
con empo a y needs. Thei pe spec i es e eal how memo y in a chi ec u e is no s a ic bu e ol es,
shaped by socie al in luences and powe s uc u es. Ul ima ely, we a gue ha memo y in
a chi ec u e is a malleable o ce, capable o being eshaped o link he pas wi h u u e in en ions,
e lec ing bo h cul u al iden i y and adap i e euse.
Memo y is no me ely a eposi o y o pas e en s; i is an ac i e and e ol ing o ce ha shapes how
we pe cei e and engage wi h he wo ld a ound us. I in e wines wi h ou expe iences, emo ions,
and ac ions, con inuously in luencing ou unde s anding o bo h he pas and he p esen . Memo y
e ol es, adap s, and ans o ms, c ea ing new na a i es ha e lec he changing needs and eali ies
o indi iduals and socie ies (“A Re iew o Memo y Theo y,” 2016).
Dylan T igg, in his wo k The Memo y o Place: A Phenomenology o he Uncanny (2013), sugges s ha
memo y is deeply ied o ou in e ac ions wi h physical spaces. He a gues ha memo y is no simply
abou ecalling he pas bu ac i ely shapes how we expe ience spaces in he p esen and en ision
hem o he u u e. Acco ding o T igg, amilia en i onmen s ca y memo ies ha shi and e ol e
o e ime, adap ing o ou cu en emo ions, needs, and ci cums ances. This dynamic p ocess allows
places o espond o p esen eali ies o e en jus i y speci ic ac ions, os e ing a con inuous
connec ion be ween pas expe iences and p esen obliga ions. Fo T igg, he memo y o place is no
a s a ic a chi e bu a luid and ans o ma i e b idge be ween pas and p esen , enabling
ein e p e a ion and enewal.
This pe spec i e highligh s ha places a e a mo e han passi e backd ops o human li e; hey a e
in eg al o ou li ed expe iences. The memo y o a place is shaped no only by cogni i e ecall bu
also by emo ional and physical connec ions (“A Re iew o Memo y Theo y,” 2016). When we e isi a
place a e ime has passed, bo h he space and ou ela ionship o i o en eel di e en , e lec ing
he e ol ing na u e o memo y. As T igg (2013) no es, his in e play be ween memo y and place
helps shape ou iden i y, e aming ou unde s anding o ou sel es and he wo ld a ound us.
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Ca bone ia becomes a li ing me apho , u ging bo h a chi ec s and indi iduals o anscend he
supe icial, emb ace he unseen, and da e o disco e he dep h wi hin.
5. Memo y o Place
In his sec ion, we will explo e he ela ionship be ween memo y, a chi ec u e, and powe , examining
how spaces p ese e o ans o m his o ical na a i es o e ime. We will de ine he concep o
Memo y o Place h ough he w i ings o Ma i H a um(1968), Hen i Le eb e (1901–1991), and
Dylan T igg(1980), unde s anding i s dynamic cha ac e and i s ole in b idging he i age wi h
con empo a y needs. Thei pe spec i es e eal how memo y in a chi ec u e is no s a ic bu e ol es,
shaped by socie al in luences and powe s uc u es. Ul ima ely, we a gue ha memo y in
a chi ec u e is a malleable o ce, capable o being eshaped o link he pas wi h u u e in en ions,
e lec ing bo h cul u al iden i y and adap i e euse.
Memo y is no me ely a eposi o y o pas e en s; i is an ac i e and e ol ing o ce ha shapes how
we pe cei e and engage wi h he wo ld a ound us. I in e wines wi h ou expe iences, emo ions,
and ac ions, con inuously in luencing ou unde s anding o bo h he pas and he p esen . Memo y
e ol es, adap s, and ans o ms, c ea ing new na a i es ha e lec he changing needs and eali ies
o indi iduals and socie ies (“A Re iew o Memo y Theo y,” 2016).
Dylan T igg, in his wo k The Memo y o Place: A Phenomenology o he Uncanny (2013), sugges s ha
memo y is deeply ied o ou in e ac ions wi h physical spaces. He a gues ha memo y is no simply
abou ecalling he pas bu ac i ely shapes how we expe ience spaces in he p esen and en ision
hem o he u u e. Acco ding o T igg, amilia en i onmen s ca y memo ies ha shi and e ol e
o e ime, adap ing o ou cu en emo ions, needs, and ci cums ances. This dynamic p ocess allows
places o espond o p esen eali ies o e en jus i y speci ic ac ions, os e ing a con inuous
connec ion be ween pas expe iences and p esen obliga ions. Fo T igg, he memo y o place is no
a s a ic a chi e bu a luid and ans o ma i e b idge be ween pas and p esen , enabling
ein e p e a ion and enewal.
This pe spec i e highligh s ha places a e a mo e han passi e backd ops o human li e; hey a e
in eg al o ou li ed expe iences. The memo y o a place is shaped no only by cogni i e ecall bu
also by emo ional and physical connec ions (“A Re iew o Memo y Theo y,” 2016). When we e isi a
place a e ime has passed, bo h he space and ou ela ionship o i o en eel di e en , e lec ing
he e ol ing na u e o memo y. As T igg (2013) no es, his in e play be ween memo y and place
helps shape ou iden i y, e aming ou unde s anding o ou sel es and he wo ld a ound us.
Memo y, as i is ied o place, emains dynamic, ensu ing ha spaces e ain hei signi icance while
con inually o e ing new meanings.
5.1 Memo y as a Tool o Powe
In his wo k The P oduc ion o Space (1974), ma e ialis and Ma xis philosophe Hen i Le eb e
(1901–1991) explo es he concep o iewing spaces as eposi o ies o memo y. He a gues ha
spaces ac as deposi s o collec i e memo ies, e lec ing he social ela ions and ac ions o he pas .
Le eb e u he explains how u ban planning and a chi ec u e can be in en ionally designed o
p omo e ce ain memo ies, shaping how communi ies ela e o hei su oundings (Le eb e e al.,
1991, pp. 128–130). Howe e ,he emphasizes ha his p ocess is no uni e sal; i is in luenced by
powe s uc u es, which selec i ely p ese e some memo ies while delibe a ely e asing o he s.
Fig. 17. A h ee-dimensional p omenade connec ing new ci cula ion wi h he his o ical açade’s memo y.
The case o La Ca bone ia (Casa Ta agó) illus a es he con lic be ween he i age conse a ion and
con empo a y a chi ec u al p ac ices. The objec i e was o e-c ea e a açade ha would ha e looked
on o a s ee ha was ne e cons uc ed, signi ican ly al e ing he design by omi ing he s ai case
and con e ing he cou ya d in o an a ium ins ead. This concep aligns wi h Le eb e’s c i icism o
capi alis ic socie ies, whe e place memo y can be simula ed o econs uc he i age o he pu poses
o a p e e ed na a i e a he han e lec ing he ue his o ical eali y (Le eb e e al., 1991, pp.
75–76).
As men ioned in Plas e Monumen s: A chi ec u e and he Powe o Rep oduc ion(2017) by Ma i
Lending (1969), he ques ion o whe he o es o e, conse e, o ein e p e s uc u es e eals he
in ica e ela ionship be ween memo y, p ese a ion, and he ole o powe in shaping a chi ec u al
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na a i es. The Hall o A chi ec u e a he Ca negie Museum in Pi sbu gh p o ides a s iking example
o how his o ical agmen s can be econ ex ualized o cons uc a new, cu a ed e sion o he pas .
The museum’s plas e cas s o iconic a chi ec u al elemen s— om G eek emples o Romanesque
chu ch açades—a e me iculously c a ed o e oke au hen ici y, e en hough hey a e emo ed om
hei o iginal con ex s. This eassembly ab ica es a cohesi e ye a i icial pano ama o a chi ec u al
his o y, e lec ing he in en o i s c ea o s o p ojec a uni e sal na a i e o cul u al and a is ic
p og ession (Lending, 2017, p. 2). The abili y o c ea e such a display was made possible by weal h
and in luence, exempli ying how powe can dic a e which s o ies a e p ese ed and how hey a e
p esen ed.
Fig. 18. The igu e shows he museum’s display o plas e cas s om a ious coun ies, econ ex ualizing a chi ec u al
elemen s.
Simila ly, he case o La Ca bone ia in Ba celona illus a es he ensions be ween his o ical
p ese a ion and con empo a y adap a ion. The decision o econs uc a açade o a s ee ha was
ne e buil , while al e ing he building’s s uc u e o accommoda e mode n uses, e lec s a
delibe a e manipula ion o a chi ec u al memo y. Like he Hall o A chi ec u e, La Ca bone ia
balances he pas and p esen , blending au hen ici y wi h ein en ion. Ye , his ans o ma ion
unde sco es how hose in posi ions o powe —whe he a chi ec s, pa ons, o cul u al
ins i u ions—exe cise con ol o e which aspec s o his o y a e p ese ed and which a e al e ed o
e ased.
Bo h cases highligh he luidi y o a chi ec u al memo y and he ole o powe in de e mining i s
ajec o y. The Hall o A chi ec u e imposes a ision o uni e sal he i age shaped by Wes e n-cen ic
ideals, while La Ca bone ia eimagines his o y o align wi h mode n pu poses. In bo h ins ances, he
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na a i es. The Hall o A chi ec u e a he Ca negie Museum in Pi sbu gh p o ides a s iking example
o how his o ical agmen s can be econ ex ualized o cons uc a new, cu a ed e sion o he pas .
The museum’s plas e cas s o iconic a chi ec u al elemen s— om G eek emples o Romanesque
chu ch açades—a e me iculously c a ed o e oke au hen ici y, e en hough hey a e emo ed om
hei o iginal con ex s. This eassembly ab ica es a cohesi e ye a i icial pano ama o a chi ec u al
his o y, e lec ing he in en o i s c ea o s o p ojec a uni e sal na a i e o cul u al and a is ic
p og ession (Lending, 2017, p. 2). The abili y o c ea e such a display was made possible by weal h
and in luence, exempli ying how powe can dic a e which s o ies a e p ese ed and how hey a e
p esen ed.
Fig. 18. The igu e shows he museum’s display o plas e cas s om a ious coun ies, econ ex ualizing a chi ec u al
elemen s.
Simila ly, he case o La Ca bone ia in Ba celona illus a es he ensions be ween his o ical
p ese a ion and con empo a y adap a ion. The decision o econs uc a açade o a s ee ha was
ne e buil , while al e ing he building’s s uc u e o accommoda e mode n uses, e lec s a
delibe a e manipula ion o a chi ec u al memo y. Like he Hall o A chi ec u e, La Ca bone ia
balances he pas and p esen , blending au hen ici y wi h ein en ion. Ye , his ans o ma ion
unde sco es how hose in posi ions o powe —whe he a chi ec s, pa ons, o cul u al
ins i u ions—exe cise con ol o e which aspec s o his o y a e p ese ed and which a e al e ed o
e ased.
Bo h cases highligh he luidi y o a chi ec u al memo y and he ole o powe in de e mining i s
ajec o y. The Hall o A chi ec u e imposes a ision o uni e sal he i age shaped by Wes e n-cen ic
ideals, while La Ca bone ia eimagines his o y o align wi h mode n pu poses. In bo h ins ances, he
in en o hose wielding powe de e mines whe he a chi ec u e se es as a essel o memo y, a
ool o ein en ion, o bo h. Ul ima ely, hese examples sugges ha powe no only decides wha is
p ese ed bu also dic a es he na a i es ha u u e gene a ions inhe i .
Memo y in a chi ec u e is a dynamic o ce ha ex ends beyond he p ese a ion o his o y, ac i ely
shaping he p esen and guiding u u e de elopmen s. As no ed by Ma i Lending in he book Plas e
Monumen s: A chi ec u e and he Powe o Rep oduc ion , a chi ec u al memo y is no s a ic bu
e ol es wi h ime, in luencing how spaces a e expe ienced and adap ed (Lending, 2017,p. 12). I
se es as a b idge be ween pas signi icance and u u e u ili y, in o ming decisions abou whe he o
es o e, adap , o epu pose spaces. This ongoing p ocess e lec s he powe o memo y in
a chi ec u e o mold bo h his o ical na a i es and u u e engagemen s wi h space.
5.2 Fu u e, Pas , Memo y
The choice be ween li ing in he p esen and c ea ing new memo ies, o looking back o che ish
wha has al eady been done, is bo h in ica e and deeply pe sonal. As no ed in The Emo ional Powe
o Spaces (Beka, 2023), he espec o and awe o passing ime o en become he mos signi ican
ac o s. Beka asse s ha he ue alue o a chi ec u e canno be ully unde s ood a he ime o i s
comple ion. Ins ead, alue is o en ecognized only wi h he passage o ime, ma king a depa u e
om he s aigh o wa d pe spec i e o memo y in a chi ec u e (Beka, 2023). This idea challenges
he con en ional, immedia e unde s anding o a chi ec u al memo y and aligns wi h As Alois Riegl
(1858-1905) a gues in his wo k The Mode n Cul o Monumen s (1928), monumen s acqui e meaning
o e ime. Riegl s a es ha “a monumen ’s his o ical alue is no in insic bu eme ges as a p oduc
o ime, e ealing i s impo ance as i unde goes change and decay” (Riegl, 1928, p. 148). He u he
sugges s ha he ue alue o a monumen is equen ly ecognized only in hindsigh , as i in eg a es
in o collec i e memo y and cul u al na a i es, anscending i s o iginal unc ion.
Fig. 19. The igu e shows he old açade ea u ing d awings o people, highligh ing he his o ical and cul u al signi icance o
he space. (a ibu ed o: Balcells 2023)
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14. Co nelis Esche , Mau i s, 1953. “The eng a ing o Rela i i y” Pho o Re i ed om Leona di, E.
h ps://www. edalyc.o g/jou nal/5175/517554419015/h ml/
15. Ro a, Simona, un i led, 2022. pho og aphs
16. Ro a, Simona, un i led, 2022. pho og aphs
17. Ro a, Simona. 2022. "La Ca bone ia." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps://u bannex .ne /la-ca bone ia/.
18. Beckle , Ma hew. 2012. "Hall o A chi ec u e." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps:// a he pi .com/2012/10/24/hall-o -a chi ec u e/.
19. OSS O ice o S a egic Spaces. 2023. "La Ca bone ia." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps://ca bone ia.es/es/.

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14. Co nelis Esche , Mau i s, 1953. “The eng a ing o Rela i i y” Pho o Re i ed om Leona di, E.
h ps://www. edalyc.o g/jou nal/5175/517554419015/h ml/
15. Ro a, Simona, un i led, 2022. pho og aphs
16. Ro a, Simona, un i led, 2022. pho og aphs
17. Ro a, Simona. 2022. "La Ca bone ia." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps://u bannex .ne /la-ca bone ia/.
18. Beckle , Ma hew. 2012. "Hall o A chi ec u e." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps:// a he pi .com/2012/10/24/hall-o -a chi ec u e/.
19. OSS O ice o S a egic Spaces. 2023. "La Ca bone ia." Pho o. Re ie ed om
h ps://ca bone ia.es/es/.
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Unde s anding Fo m h ough P esen and Fu u e Func ion
105 Apa men s o he Elde ly P ojec Case S udy
Abs ac
In a chi ec u e, he ela ionship be ween unc ion and o m ha e been a co e issue since Louis Sulli an p oposed he amous
p inciple " o m ollows unc ion", ocusing on how a building's use aligns wi h i s isual exp ession. Using he 105 Apa men s
o he Elde ly p ojec by 2016 as a case s udy, his a icle explo es s a egies o balance and coo dina e hese aspec s in
design. The discussion is di ided in o wo pa s: he i s examines how design add esses exis ing unc ions, while he second
conside s how a chi ec u al o m can adap o changing unc ions.
Unlike con en ional esiden ial designs, his p ojec speci ically add esses he needs o elde ly esiden s, who spend signi ican
ime a home and equi e imp o ed accessibili y and spaces o social in e ac ion. The i s pa o his a icle examines he
design p inciples o Accessibili y and Ac i i y, ocusing on how hese elemen s enhance elde ly li ing expe iences. The second
pa explo es how a chi ec u e can accommoda e changes in unc ion o use g oups o e ime. Cen e ed on he p inciples o
Flexibili y and Adap abili y, he discussion del es in o how a chi ec u al o m can e ol e o mee new demands, ensu ing
unc ionali y, cohe ence, and esponsi eness o u u e needs.
Keywo ds: Ac i i y, Accessibili y, Flexibili y, Adap abili y
Dai Jiayi, Wang Sixian, Li Xiao ong, Fe nanda Bece a
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This sec ion akes Apa men 105 as a s a ing poin and discusses how design can be subo dina ed o exis ing unc ional
needs, om “public ac i i y space” o “ba ie - ee design”, and how unc ion and o m should be ma ched and co esponded
o each o he in a ce ain way.
Ac i i y
The di e si y o public ac i i ies among olde people e lec s hei a ying p e e ences, which depend
on ac o s such as age and heal h s a us. This s udy ocuses on a selec ed senio apa men ha
inco po a es speci ic designs o public spaces. Using his as a s a ing poin , i analyzes he unc ional
ypes and spa ial a angemen s o hese a eas, p ojec ing and imagining he ypes and cha ac e is ics
o public ac i i y spaces ha may be needed in he u u e.
De ining ac i i y spaces inhe en ly in ol es inconsis encies and unce ain ies. As shown in he diag am,
he blue a eas ep esen indoo public ac i i y spaces, while he o ange a eas deno e ou doo public
ac i i y pla o ms. The apa men in eg a es bo h indoo and ou doo public spaces, wi h close
connec ions be ween he wo.
Figu e 1. Typical plan o he esea ch objec
Howe e , wo a eas o he design in i e u he e lec ion: Based on on-si e in es iga ions, indoo
public ac i i ies a e no ably di e se, encompassing spaces such as a ooms, con e sa ion a eas, and
gyms. Mul i unc ional ooms, such as class ooms, add u he e sa ili y. Despi e his, he spa ial
con igu a ions sha e a common ai : all a e i egula shapes wi h sha p and s aigh angles. In o he
wo ds, a singula spa ial ype accommoda es a a ie y o unc ional ac i i ies.
Second, he g een a eas in he diag am ep esen pla o ms wi h in eg a ed benches, ye no addi ional
acili ies a e p o ided. Resea ch indica es ha olde adul s exhibi a s onge p e e ence o accessible
g een landscapes o e pu ely isual g eene y and a o spaces allowing di ec in e ac ion wi h plan s.
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[1] Acco ding o he au ho 's own ac ual esea ch on Oc obe 7, i can be lea ned ha he ou doo
pla o ms hos nume ous po ed plan s cul i a ed by he esiden s hemsel es. Howe e , he public
space design ha only o dwelle s i sel ails o o e any g eene y speci ically in ended o iewing o
physical engagemen .
Combined wi h he abo e analysis, he au ho belie es ha Apa men 105 is basically di ided in o
indoo and ou doo ac i i y spaces in e ms o public ac i i y spaces: indoo public ac i i y spaces a e
adap ed o di e en unc ions wi h he same kind o spa ial layou , while ou doo spaces a e mainly
cha ac e ized by ha d-pa ed e aces as he main scope. The nex pa o he a icle will be a de i a ion
o he ypes o public ac i i y spaces o he elde ly and hei cha ac e is ics, cen e ing on he si ua ion
o Apa men 105 i sel .
1. Types o public ac i i ies o he elde ly
Social and Ga he ing Spaces
Neighbou hood su oundings can help olde people’s heal h in wo ways. One way is o p o ide
oppo uni ies o ac i e pa icipa ion. Ano he app oach may be o p o ide a eas whe e indi iduals
can ga he wi h o he s and app ecia e na u e [2]. Thus, being heal hy is an ou come o mobili y in
ac i i ies ha lead o independence and au onomy.
Ga dening and Na u e Engagemen
The e a e da a o sugges ha , “ a home wi h iews ou o na u e/g eenways, hus, mo e impo an
han ha ing a p i a e ga den/ou side space and was o somewha highe impo ance han ha ing
access o public g een space/pa ks[3][4][5].“I can be obse ed ha in senio housing, accessible g een
landscapes wi hin he apa men complex i sel ake p ecedence o e p i a e ou doo spaces and e en
mo e so o e public g een spaces and pa ks, p ima ily due o senio s’ limi ed walking ange. How o
inco po a e accessible g eene y in o daily apa men li ing hus becomes a ele an design
conside a ion.
Fo senio -o ien ed public ac i i y spaces ha emphasize ga dening and na u al landscapes, essen ial
elemen s include cou ya ds and g een a eas wi h cha ac e is ics such as ac ile plan ings and
accessible pa hways. Howe e , a equen ly o e looked aspec in common designs is he inclusion o
plan s ha can be easily ouched and engaged wi h. An a icle discusses he es o a i e bene i s o
ac i e in e ac ion wi h na u al en i onmen s. I inds ha en i onmen s enabling ac ile and
imme si e expe iences, such as ouching plan s o soil, lead o be e ou comes in s ess educ ion and
emo ional heal h compa ed o passi e isual g een spaces.[6]
Fo senio g een spaces o p o ide no only aes he ic alue bu also ac ile accessibili y, i is c ucial o
ensu e ha plan s a e wi hin each, allowing elde ly esiden s o expe ience g eene y up close wi hou
needing o lea e he building. This p oximi y o na u e aids in elaxa ion and men al well-being.
“The apeu ic E ec s o Ga dening o Olde Adul s: A Re iew o Li e a u e” by Soga, said ha how
engaging in ga dening p o ides senso y and physical in e ac ion wi h plan s, p omo ing bo h men al
and physical heal h bene i s beyond wha is ypically gained h ough isual exposu e o g eene y. I
emphasizes educed s ess le els and enhanced cogni i e unc ion among olde pa icipan s. [7]
Heal h and Fi ness Facili ies
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Heal h and i ness acili ies in senio housing play a i al ole in p omo ing olde adul s’ o e all well-
being. These spaces suppo physical, cogni i e, and emo ional heal h, helping senio s main ain
independence and engage ac i ely wi h hei en i onmen . S udy show ha such spaces os e social
in e ac ion and cogni i e engagemen . G oup ac i i ies encou age social bonds, con ibu ing o
emo ional esilience and a sense o communi y. Resea ch highligh s ha i ness ac i i ies in ol ing
mul iple senses (e.g., dance o cho eog aphy) can s imula e cogni i e unc ion, enhancing memo y and
execu i e skills essen ial o decision-making and p oblem-sol ing.[8]
Toge he , hese ea u es make heal h and i ness acili ies indispensable in senio communi ies,
suppo ing a holis ic app oach o aging ha p io i izes bo h physical independence and men al well-
being.
Rec ea ional and Quie Spaces
"Rec ea ional and quie spaces" in senio housing a e c ucial o suppo ing he emo ional and
psychological well-being o olde adul s. These spaces a e designed o p o ide a peace ul, low-
s imula ion en i onmen , which can signi ican ly educe s ess, alle ia e anxie y, and p omo e men al
elaxa ion. Many senio s ace s esso s such as isola ion o cogni i e decline, and hese quie spaces
ac as a sanc ua y away om he ac i e, social pa s o communal li ing, helping hem p ocess
emo ions and econnec wi h hemsel es.[9]
Addi ionally, hese spaces o en acili a e in ospec ion and es ul ac i i ies like eading o medi a ing,
enhancing cogni i e engagemen and memo y by o e ing a con olled, calm en i onmen . The senso y
appeal o quie en i onmen s—like sub le ligh ing and com o able sea ing—encou ages p olonged,
undis u bed ime spen in e lec ion. Quie spaces ha e shown bene i s no only o men al cla i y bu
also o main aining a sense o pu pose and iden i y, especially when such a eas include access o
na u e o iews o ou doo spaces, which p o ide calming isual s imuli.
O e all, ec ea ional and quie spaces a e ca e ully in eg a ed in o senio housing as essen ial
elemen s o balanced daily li ing, add essing he holis ic needs o esiden s by combining elaxa ion
wi h sub le oppo uni ies o men al s imula ion and e lec ion. This app oach o design unde sco es
he impo ance o c ea ing senio - iendly en i onmen s ha suppo bo h ac i e engagemen and
es ul, in ospec i e ac i i ies.
Mul i- unc ional Ac i i y A eas
Mul i- unc ional ac i i y a eas a e in eg al o senio people using as hey suppo di e se ac i i ies and
os e social engagemen , adap abili y, and well-being. Resea ch shows ha hese spaces a e essen ial
o main aining an inclusi e, s imula ing en i onmen ha mee s he e ol ing needs o olde adul s.
Such spaces a e designed o accommoda e a ious ac i i ies, including social ga he ings, g oup
exe cises, and cul u al e en s, p omo ing bo h physical and men al heal h. In mul i- unc ional spaces,
lexibili y is a key ea u e, o en achie ed h ough adap able u ni u e, open layou s, and in eg a ed
echnology, which allow he space o ans o m quickly o di e en uses (CRC Resea ch, 2023; A ch2O,
2024).
These spaces enhance he quali y o li e in senio housing by p o iding en i onmen s whe e senio s
can engage in physical ac i i y, social in e ac ion, and leisu e, all o which a e c i ical o heal hy aging.

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2. Types o public space ac i i ies o olde people and hei spa ial cha ac e is ics
Ac i i y Type Spa ial Cha ac e is ics Rele an Li e a u e and Sou ces
Social and Ga he ing
Spaces
Open layou s, com o able
sea ing, wa m ligh ing
Younes e al. (2024) e iew he ole o
communal spaces in imp o ing senio s'
quali y o li e h ough social connec ion[1];
Me li eca e Gul Rise G een a eas ha e
been designed a ound cou ya ds and
co ido s o acili a e esiden s'
pa icipa ion in ga dening and walking
ac i i ies.
Ga dening and Na u e
Engagemen
Ga dens, g een a eas, ac ile
plan s, accessible pa hways
Ko inge Ga dens (2024) includes
ex ensi e ga den spaces o na u e
engagemen ; Se wall (2024) discusses
senio - iendly ga dening spaces wi h
accessible plan ing beds and senso y plan s.
Heal h and Fi ness
Facili ies
Accessible gyms, yoga
pla o ms, non-slip loo ing
Sun Rise Assis ed Li ing (2024) ea u es
ou doo exe cise spaces wi h sa e, non-slip
su aces; Blake a he G o e (2024)
in eg a es walking pa hs and ac i e spaces
o p omo e physical heal h.
Rec ea ional and
Quie Spaces
Quie se ings, eading a eas,
so sea ing, soundp oo ing
MDPI Re iew (2024) emphasizes he need
o quie , elaxing a eas o elde ly
ec ea ion and men al well-being ;
Po ugal's Alcabideche neighbo hood o e s
ga dens o medi a ion and elaxa ion,
p o iding esiden s wi h a p i a e space
away om he hus le and bus le o he ci y.
Mul i- unc ional
Ac i i y A eas
Flexible indoo /ou doo
spaces o g oup e en s
Hal Moon Bay Village (2024) ea u es
ou doo gazebos and lexible a eas o
g oup ga he ings ; Hal Moon Bay Village
ea u es a gazebo a ea o esiden s and
isi o s o sha e, suppo ing g oup ac i ies
o a ying sizes.
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Figu e 2. Types o public ac i i ies and spa ial cha ac e is ics o he elde ly
3.The Impac o Space on Ac i i ies
This a icle speci ically explo es he impac o spa ial design on public ac i i ies o elde ly
communi ies, pa icula ly in he design o senio housing apa men s. In he 105 apa men s, he
public ac i i y spaces a e di ided ac oss wo le els. The g ound loo and i s loo con ain la ge public
spaces, while he ac i i y spaces on he second loo and abo e a e smalle . These spaces a e
con igu ed as indoo -ou doo a eas, wi h clea passageways and doo s sepa a ing he wo.
I is no ewo hy ha he public spaces on he g ound and i s loo s a e a ailable o use by he
su ounding communi y, which gi es hem a ce ain le el o ou wa d social engagemen . On he o he
hand, he public spaces on he second loo and abo e a e mo e p i a e, p ima ily se ing he esiden s
on hose loo s. Each loo has simila ly sized ac i i y ooms, which in u n educes hei communal
a ibu es. In o he wo ds, when he public spaces on each loo sha e simila cha ac e is ics and
con igu a ions, he ques ion a ises as o whe he he elde ly ha e su icien "space o social ac i i ies"
and he desi e o u ilize hem.
Figu e 3. 3 ypical plans o he 105 apa men s
This example e e s o ano he social housing p ojec in Spain is To e Júlia. B igh shades o yellow
and g een help elde ly people na iga e his 17-s o ey housing block in Ba celona, designed by Spanish
a chi ec s Pau Vidal, Se gi Pons, and Rica d Galiana.
The building is o ganized in o h ee so-called "communi ies," each o which is alloca ed a la ge space
whe e elde ly esiden s engage in mos o hei collec i e ac i i ies. These spaces a e he co e o he
p ojec .
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Figu e 4. To e Júlia's space o engagemen
The co ido s and s ai s su ound he ex e io , leading o a double-heigh public space. These co ido s
no only se e as ci cula ion ou es bu also unc ion like s ee s, guiding people owa d la ge social
spaces. The wide co ido s o e look he ci y, and all ou doo a eas a e equipped wi h s ai s, double-
wid h zones, and shaded e aces. These ea u es a e designed o p o ide oppo uni ies o elde ly
esiden s o socialize and engage in communi y ac i i ies.
This app oach is no unique. Le Co busie ’s "Skip-S op" sys em bea s ce ain simila i ies, eminding us
ha "a co ido is no jus a co ido ." I can be a place whe e people pause, and i can also c ea e a
ull-heigh space, gene a ing mo e oppo uni ies o social in e ac ion.
Figu e 5. The ull-heigh spaces o To e Júlia and Le Co busie 's Skip-S op sys em
The abo e example highligh s how public spaces can be e se e elde ly communi ies, and such cases
a e plen i ul. Wha is being exp essed he e is ha public ac i i y spaces hemsel es should o e mo e
"spa ial possibili ies." I is di icul o assess whe he s anda dized spaces limi he de elopmen o
elde ly public ac i i ies, as his would equi e ex ensi e ounda ional esea ch. Howe e , i can be
an icipa ed ha u u e elde ly popula ions will ha e inc easing physical and psychological needs o
public ac i i ies. How o shape public ac i i y spaces wi h po en ial is an impo an ques ion.
Accessibili y
1.Backg ound and P oblem S a emen
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Resea ch indica es a signi ican p opo ion o elde ly indi iduals ely on wheelchai s. While assessing
hei access o public spaces, i is equally c ucial o conside he con enience o li ing a home. Despi e
e ol ing accessibili y egula ions, many housing designs o elde ly indi iduals ail o mee hese
s anda ds. This sho all could s em om ou da ed a chi ec u al designs, pa ial conside a ion o
accessibili y, o a eliance on ypical human-cen e ed design da a wi hou accommoda ions o
wheelchai use s. Fu he mo e, accessibili y s anda ds o en a y ac oss egions, adding complexi y o
hei implemen a ion. Accessibili y is an in ica e issue equi ing ca e ul conside a ion o ime, space,
and speci ic en i onmen al ac o s.
This a icle analyzes he accessibili y o he 105 apa men s o he elde ly in Ba celona as a case s udy,
d awing insigh s o imp o emen . Spanish egula ions, speci ically Documen o Básico SUA Segu idad
de u ilización y accesibilidad (SUA 9, Accesibilidad 1.2.2, Table 1.1), manda e ha public housing
de elopmen s wi h 101–150 uni s mus include a leas ou accessible apa men s. By compa ing loo
plans wi h egional s anda ds in Ca alonia, his s udy e alua es he sui abili y o hese apa men s o
wheelchai use s and p oposes modi ica ions o ans o m hem in o accessible housing.
2.In e io Accessibili y Analysis o Residen ial Spaces
Based on he ac i i ies o disabled and elde ly esiden s, in e io spaces can be ca ego ized in o
sleeping/ es ing a eas, socializing a eas, eading/w i ing a eas, dining spaces, sani a ion a eas, s o age
spaces, and auxilia y spaces. These unc ions o e lap and in e wine, necessi a ing comp ehensi e
echnical design o each uni o ensu e high-quali y accessible housing.
2.1 Single Space Analysis
En yway Design
The en ance is c ucial o disabled and elde ly indi iduals. P ope design enables easy wheelchai
access, while poo design may hinde mobili y o pose li e- h ea ening isks du ing eme gencies.
Accessibili y s anda ds add ess wo wheelchai app oaches: on al and la e al.
F on al app oach La e al app oach
Figu e 6. Speci ic mo emen o passing h ough a doo .