From 5:45 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.! A long, intense, and wonderful day in Barcelona with the students from T1 PR5 and muHAB SOST01 at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
A journey through public and cooperative housing, renovation and adaptive reuse, community facilities, and public spaces, exploring how architecture can contribute to more inclusive, sustainable, and socially engaged ways of living.
They began with a tour of the new IMPSOL social housing developments, designed by METRONOM in Molins de Rei and by FLEXOARQUITECTURA in Sant Boi de Llobregat. Next, they visited the GESTAR/HABITAR exhibition, the Can Batlló complex, Bloc 4, La Borda, and their surrounding public spaces, including Roberto Soto Park. Later, they visited the Turó de la Peira sports complex, after driving through Barcelona amid fairly heavy traffic.
Our most sincere thanks to everyone who made this event possible! To IMPSOL and Xavier Gracia, for welcoming them and sharing their expertise on public housing. To Ibon Bilbao, Caterina Figuerola, and their entire team, for their generous explanations of the impressive GESTAR/HABITAR exhibition and for accompanying us during the visit to the Can Batlló complex. And finally, to Anna Noguera, who kindly waited for over an hour at the Turó de la Peira sports center. Unfortunately, Barcelona traffic prevented us from arriving on time to meet her. We are very grateful for her generosity and patience!
And a very special memory of the Can Batlló playground, where some students said those had been “the happiest ten minutes of my entire college career!” Perhaps it’s a good reminder of why play, joy, and everyday life are so important in architecture.
And, above all, thank you to all our students for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy throughout such a long day. Learning together from others, beyond the classroom, is always a source of joy.
This activity is part of the master’s program’s educational activities focused on experiential learning and is aligned with the UPV SIRVE Strategic Plan, promoting connections between universities, professionals, and society, as well as raising awareness of new strategies to address contemporary housing needs