Historical Archive of the City of Barcelona

Barcelona City Council, through the Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation (IMHAB), has presented the WikiHousing project with the joint venture formed by Stradle3 Constructors, Societat Orgànica +10 and IDRA Barcelona Institute to guarantee the right to housing. This pioneering initiative aims to meet the housing needs of young people.

The project consists of a building with four flats and a large communal area on a plot of land provided by the City Council at 38, Passeig de l’Exposició. The idea was born with the mission to make use of small plots of land in the city.

The architects David Juárez and Luca Volpi, members of the joint venture, have explained that the external structure could be completed in five weeks. They have also stressed that, thanks to the good location and environmental design, the building will be sufficient to guarantee thermal comfort and cooling. Finally, they stressed the importance of the participatory process in the development of the project.

Towards a city where industrialisation is a tool for achieving social objectives

This was followed by a round table discussion, moderated by Elisabet Carnicé, in which speakers from Straddle3 Constructors SL, Vivas Arquitectos, Coma Arquitectura and Cierto Studio defended the need to find an effective formula for obtaining social housing in areas such as our city.

During the debate, several key aspects were highlighted:

• The importance of moving towards a more sustainable model, minimising costs and time.
• Industrialisation as an essential tool for the future, thanks to its adaptability and the fact that it is a rich and diverse instrument.

Among the challenges raised, the following were highlighted:

• The need for collaborative work, both between actors in the sector and with administrations.
• A commitment to sustainability in all processes.
• Taking co-responsibility to innovate in the administration and to respond to the growing need for housing.
• Provide an urgent response to the housing emergency.
• Promote the industrialisation of construction, especially in the areas with the most available land.

The event closed with a speech by the Commissioner of Housing, Joan Ramon Riera, who stressed that “we must continue to work along these lines” to tackle the city’s housing challenges.