ReCITYing (Reactivating unused urban spaces through architecture and arts) and the self-sufficient mobile home MO.CA (the Mobile Venue leading the Focus Weeks of Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana) are two innovative projects developed within the framework of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). Both projects explore the possibilities of architecture and design as tools for activating public spaces, art, community engagement and sustainability, proposing new ways of building and engaging with the environment.
For this event, we invite the teams of both projects to present their initiatives and open a dialogue about their work areas and their implications for urban and social development.
About the projects:
ReCITYing is an initiative co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme, which promotes the regeneration of abandoned spaces through temporary reuse and creative recycling. At the Parc Agrari in Baix Llobregat, IAAC proposes a participative approach that brings together young people, local actors and farmers to drive rural revitalisation. Through a combination of art, design, agriculture and community engagement, this project uses local resources to establish a self-sustaining process that transforms the landscape and generates materials for an architectural installation. ReCITYing focuses on circular and innovative design, promoting sustainability and the creative use of resources.
Speakers:
- Project Manager: Laura Guimarães (Manager of IAAC’s Urban Sciences Lab).
- Participating Students: Soham Bhanushali (architect specialising in design and urban planning) and Maria Luiza Gomes Torres (computational designer and researcher in 3D printing).
MO.CA is a mobile home and immersive experience generator developed within IAAC’s Master’s in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities. Built from locally sourced dowel-laminated timber (DLT) at Valldaura Labs, MO.CA (Mobile Catalyst) responds to the need for mobility, self-sufficiency and sustainability. This innovative project reimagines the concept of home, integrating living spaces and collaborative functions that foster connection and resource exchange. It stands out for its use of natural materials, modular desig, and emphasis on circularity and sustainability. Currently, MO.CA serves as the Mobile Venue of Manifesta 15, travelling across eleven municipalities of the metropolitan region with a varied programme.
Speakers:
- Esin Aydemir (Academic Coordinator of IAAC’s Master in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities (MAEBB) programme).
- Participating Students: Indraneel Joshi and Nicolas Rotta, involved in the design and construction of MO.CA during their Master’s in Advanced Ecological Buildings and Biocities at IAAC in 2023.
Both projects represent innovative approaches to sustainable architecture, demonstrating the potential of design to address contemporary urban challenges.
