Catalan architects under 40 who are revitalizing the sector

BarcelonaA breath of fresh air is blowing through Catalan architecture. According to Albert Nogueras, president of the Association of Young Architects of Catalonia of the College of Architects of Catalonia (AJAC), the architects under 40 recognized a few days ago at the 14th edition of the AJAC Awards are beginning to show a change in "their tectonic quality and formal risk," following "the crisis." Nogueras emphasizes that these professionals, including firms such as Nua, Bajet Giramet, Metrónomo, H3o, Sarquella Torres, and Cierto Estudio, reflect the "versatility" of this new generation of architects because "in the face of a declining outlook in the construction sector," they have been able to make themselves "available to other disciplines."

These are the winners of the built work categories of the 14th edition of the AJAC Awards.

New Construction

'Colored House in La Mesa', Colombia

By Maria Figueras Cervelló and Cristina Marcos Murgadas (ACTO)

"Designing in the jungle—vast, wild, devoid of built references—requires an understanding of the place as attentive as it is of what it means to build," say architects Maria Figueras Cervelló and Cristina Marcos Murgadas about this home built in the La Mesa nature reserve. They also assert that their project is an act of "mediation" with nature and, therefore, they focused on local buildings. "At malocas, communal living spaces, the central space, defined by four pillars, hosts dances, rituals, and ceremonies. Our project is based on that idea. From coffee-growing architecture, we take the constructive language and the color scheme of long, showy frameworks," say the architects.

The result is a house that touches the jungle "on tiptoe." "The envelope is light to affect the land as little as possible. The facades are made of prefabricated and modular panels, assembled dry. Even the red structure is pressed into place, allowing the house to be dismantled and disappear, leaving only the heels of the four pillars, made of concrete with stones from the same land," they conclude.

Rehabilitation of the Els Alfacs campsite

From the studies Bajet Giramé (Pau Bajet and Maria Giramé) and Manuel Julià (JAAS)

The Alfacs campsite triumphs again, after winning the FAD in the City and Landscape category, ex aequowith the square and tourist office of the Portuguese city of Piódão, designed by architects João Branco and Paula del Río. Pau Bajet, Maria Giramé, and Manuel Julià assert that the renovation is not the result of a final project, but rather a "set of architectural strategies and infrastructural interventions" that have taken shape over the years during the autumn and winter months. Among the materials, the use of compacted soil in exterior rammed earth pavilions stands out, connecting the complex with the landscape.

'Marjades': 9 protected homes in Inca (Mallorca)

By Laura Estruch Sanchís, Luis Martorell Pomar (Estruch Martorell), Esteve Torres Pujol and Ripoll Tizón Arquitectos

This is one of the blocks that has given IBAVI national and international prestige for its grounded, sustainable, and innovative social housing projects. The structure is made of load-bearing brick walls combined with sandstone. The façade and the flexible use of the rooms are also possible.

Rehabilitation

Adaptation of the Sitges slaughterhouse as a cultural facility

By Clara Ocaña Carbonell, from the CO-A studio

The challenge of this project was to convert the former slaughterhouse into a multipurpose facility for performing arts, musicals, conferences, meetings, and audiovisual screenings without compromising the appearance and original elements of the listed building. The work also addressed structural deficiencies and introduced state-of-the-art equipment to improve acoustics, air conditioning, and lighting control. Among the new features are the ground-floor windows, inspired by the various wood and glass elements of the originals.

Transformation of an abandoned building into 27 apartments in Salou

By Maria Rius Ruiz, Arnau Tiñena Ramos and Ferran Tiñena Guiamet (NUA Architectures)

The building that the NUA converted into a "large house" with 27 apartments was previously a residence, a hotel, and a nursing home, before being abandoned for thirteen years. The renovation resulted in 60% less energy costs than if the building had been demolished and a new one built. The new apartments come in different types and are located along the perimeter of the façade to ensure good lighting, dual orientation, and cross ventilation. The ground floor houses the reception, a restaurant, and terraces.

Urban planning and landscape

Landscaping of the 'Casa Tres Patis' in Albons

By Victor Diaz-Asensio and Ourania Chamilaki (DA.CH)

The Three Patis House is one of the works of the Barcelona studio Twobo, and Víctor Díaz-Asensio and Ourania Chamilak have won the AJAC awards for the landscaping of this house and the appropriateness of the surroundings. The importance of the landscaping is justified because the house is divided into three independent pavilions connected by spaces inspired by life in the past. The first courtyard evokes the life of a town square; the second, in memory of theimpluvium of Roman villas, and the third, a vegetable garden, like in ancient monasteries. So the work of Díaz-Asensio and Ourania Chamilaki consisted of recreating these three distinct environments.

'The Communal Barbecue'. Transformation of an old parking lot into a communal garden in Castell d'Aro

By Joan Gener, Adrià Orriols and Miquel Ruiz (H3o)

This is a former industrial parking lot converted into a renaturalized community plaza, anchored by the kitchen and the gathering around a barbecue, the result of the restoration of the existing barbecue. To make it more monumental, the architects added a large fireplace and a pergola to provide shade for the chefs. The other most important element is a zigzag table for fifty diners, whose layout adapts to the existing trees. "In the current context, where urban life is in decline and the sense of community is fading, it is essential to redefine and revitalize our public spaces," say the architects. "The COVID pandemic has shown us that many of our needs can be met without leaving home. However, this situation has also highlighted the importance of common spaces in keeping social interaction alive and strengthening community ties," they recall.

'Walking from the center': renovation, traffic closure, and renaturalization of Barcelona's Consell de Cent street

By Lucía Millet, Anna Llonch, Ivet Gasol, Carlota de Gispert, Marta Benedicto and Maria Clara Vidal (Cierto Estudio).

This is one of the most high-profile and controversial interventions within the Green and Superilities program during Ada Colau's time as mayor of Barcelona. "People, nature, and sustainability are the protagonists," say the architects of this project, in "a unique platform with a space for socializing and collective activity." The route of this green axis runs from Vilamarí Street to Passeig de Sant Joan.

Participatory processes

Collective creation of the playground at the Penedès Intermunicipal Secondary School. Process, design, and collective construction with the students from the Penedès Intermunicipal Secondary School (Sant Sadurní d'Anoia)

By Adrià Bardagí Felipe, Esther Orús Alcalde, Marc Sureda Rovira and Raquel Estany Jané (Contact Architecture, SCCL)

"After the entire process of identifying needs and joint design, getting hands-on with the young people is a very enriching phase because the construction workshops are days of celebration and learning," says architect Raquel Estany. "You learn how to use the tools, understand the properties of the materials, interpret plans and construction details..." she adds. Thus, throughout the process, they have gained confidence and a sense of belonging to the project is complete.

Violeta Discoveries. Diagnosis and proposal for public policies on gender-based violence in urban spaces in the city of Lleida.

By Mutu Arq SCCL.

One of the challenges of current architecture is improving the gender perspective, so that public spaces are safer and more inclusive. One of the studios addressing this is the Mutu cooperative, with the Descobertes Violeta project, promoted in Lleida by the Paeria (Violet Discovery Association), in collaboration with the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Lleida (FAVLL), through the Barris Violetes (Violet Barris) and the Cercle Violeta (Violet Circle). Walking tours and discussions were held in fifteen neighborhoods to analyze the urban environment and identify improvements that can be made to enhance the safety, inclusion, and equality of public spaces. One hundred and eighty-three people participated in the process. These actions are part of the Paeria's Local Pact Against Gender-Based Violence and are supported by the Department of Equality and Feminism of the Generalitat (Catalan Government).

'Oaxaca: City, Public Space, and Childhood'

By Raúl Avilla-Royo, Bruno Seve, Edith Cota, Fabricio Lázaro, Juan Manuel Gastellum (Head Architects) and 32 undergraduate students from Etsab and the Mexican universities Fadu-Uabjo and La Salle Oaxaca

This project was promoted by the Lead Architects, who also teach at Etsab, with the participation of architecture faculty from FADU-UABJO and La Salle Oaxaca. Over a few intense days, the participating students collaborated with more than seventy children, families, and residents of the Alemán neighborhood (Oaxaca, Mexico) to conduct a collaborative urban assessment that resulted in a tactical urban planning action: the transformation of 930 m² of degraded parking into a playable, safe, and welcoming esplanade. "The project demonstrates that children should not only be taken into account, but should be protagonists in building a more open, inclusive, and vibrant city," say Lead Architects. The project was funded by the Center for Development Cooperation of the UPC (University of Oaxaca).

Interior design

'The Nave' in Sant Adrià de Besòs

By Alonso Atienza and Miguel Ángel Maure (Atienza Maure).

This is a former 450 m² warehouse transformed into a hybrid space that combines the offices of a technology company and the home of one of the founders. The space is located in a mixed-use building that also houses a carpentry workshop, a warehouse for importing products from Honduras, logistics warehouses, various churches of different denominations, and a spa and meditation center. The project combines "two opposing but complementary worlds," as the architects say: "light galvanized steel structures that organize and display essential systems, and another hedonistic one of open, naturally lit spaces with white concrete furniture made of concrete." in situ designed for everyday enjoyment." The budget was very tight, around 170,000 euros. That's why the architects often used prefabricated elements.

'The Lightning House', in Sant Just Desvern

By Joan Gener, Adrià Orriols, Miquel Ruiz (H3o)

Another award for the H3o. This is a home in an old barn on a farmhouse in Sant Just Desvern. The origin of the project is a legend according to which, centuries ago, lightning struck the Can Cardona farmhouse. To evoke this legend, the architects designed the interior space with a zigzag layout, with divisions whose lines resemble lightning. Another distinctive feature is the use of bright colors. "Our main intention in this renovation is to create a different architectural experience, far removed from the bland interiors we are accustomed to," the architects state. "With this project, we value architecture as a form of artistic and emotional expression and free ourselves from the monotony of everyday life," they emphasize.

Ephemeral architecture

'Home', in Lluèrnia, the Olot Fire and Light Festival

By Pau Sarquella and Carmen Torres

With this macro-installation, Pau Sarquella and Carmen Torres defined Olot's Plaza Mayor as "a central meeting point where the boundaries between the domestic and urban worlds dissolve." Home It consists of a fifteen-meter-high pillar stabilized and tensioned by large basalt boulders. The cables also support the insulating and reflective roof to preserve heat.Home It is primitive architecture that preserves fire as the first huts did. "It is both structure and envelope," say the architects. They also define it as a "seat," that is, a space within a space that preserves thermal qualities and intimacy, and a "chimney" that leaves the soot left by rising smoke visible. Sarquella and Torres are one of the most innovative studios curating the World Architecture Congress, which will be held in Barcelona in 2026. They also received an award at the AJAC for the exhibition they presented in Banyoles.

'A Garden of Bricks'. Intervention at the Concentric Festival in Logroño

By Quentin Gérard, Matthieu Brasebin and Elisabeth Terrisse de Botton

In this installation, visitors encountered a pond filled with water from the Ebro River and watering cans to refresh the ceramic esplanade. "This is a system that has existed for years, for example, in India," and in this work, it was implemented using "a completely basic, industrial brick, which can be used to cool and play with the climate," says architect Quentin Gérard. In this way, they managed to create "a more social place, where the neighborhood's residents can meet in a cool space rather than in the dryness of their apartments, and be together to enjoy the city."

'Tendal' blinds

By Pau Sarquella and Carmen Torres

This studio's interest in the typical blind made from wooden slats, known as "alicantina" or "rope blinds," dates back to 2014, when Pau Sarquella was one of the founders of a company that began to revive the Persiana Barcelona. Now, the Toldo blind appears as a contemporary reinterpretation of blinds and awnings, providing sun protection, privacy, and a desire to enhance public and private spaces. The new design is made possible thanks to an innovative system of 3D-printed supports that allow traditional blinds, such as the Persiana Barcelona, ​​to be integrated with standardized retractable awnings. A system of pulleys and ropes allows large sections to be folded down in just a few seconds.

Furniture for the Barcelona History Museum

By Maria Amat and Albert Casas (Metronome) and Frederic Vilagrasa

The criteria with which the architects designed this series of tables, stools, and desks are not only functional, but conceived as "a teaching tool in itself," to encourage "active participation and dialogue between the elements of the environment." "The classrooms thus become living, flexible, and constantly evolving spaces," the architects emphasize. Furthermore, the geometry, reminiscent of petals, and the colors contrast with the museum's medieval architecture.

The winning works were chosen from among more than 300 proposals submitted for the awards, and can be seen in October at the Open Architecture Center, as part of the 2nd Biennial of Young Architecture of Catalonia.

The AJAC Awards were created 26 years ago with the aim of highlighting and giving visibility to the work of the country's young architects. Over the years, they have become "a showcase of good architectural practices, but above all, a space for learning about the country's emerging talent and a benchmark for the sector to set future trends for new generations." Winners from previous editions include leading firms such as RCR, which won the Pritzker Prize in 2017, Harquitectes, Anna & Eugeni Bach, and Josep Miàs.