The renewal took place on 2 October at UIC Barcelona, with the signing of the agreement by the University rector, Alfonso Méndiz; founder of the TdB Arquitectura architecture studio, Juan Trias de Bes; and CEO of the multinational company Simon, Esteban Bretcha. The hARQware Platform Chair falls under the auspices of the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture’s Laboratory for Technological Innovation in Industrialised and Sustainable Building (LITEIS).

According to Chair’s main driver, Juan Trias de Bes, “this renewal is a major milestone in the continuation of an innovative project focused on improving the residential habitat for sectors of the population with difficulties in access to housing.” The UIC Barcelona School of Architecture lecturer went on to add that, “work is being done to develop pilot buildings that will be evaluated by users.”

These buildings will be assessed “by reviewing different aspects such as changes in needs, housing programmes, user profiles, synergy with the community, cooperative and participatory activities and even the incorporation of digital technology from a humanist standpoint.”

The primary focus of the Chair's research is to create a digital platform that fosters the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the building and urban habitat industry. This approach seeks to, on the one hand, ensure shared access for users to multiple services and, on the other, gather information aimed at improving the buildings’ energy efficiency.

“Corporate ecosystem”

The aim of the hARQware Platform Chair is to promote a more human-centred approach to digital technologies, placing them at the service of communities with a view to improving their quality of life and reducing the environmental impact of construction. To this end, the Chair will act as a “corporate ecosystem”, an organisational structure which provides the ideal technological environment for research work, with emphasis on the application of the results in pilot projects and real cases.

Simon is the flagship company of an industrial group specialised in technological lighting, lighting control, connectivity and electrical material solutions for contractual (retail trade, hospitality industry and workplaces) and residential projects. Thanks to its firm commitment to design and innovation across all projects, Simon is presently the Spanish market leader, with a strong footing in more than 90 countries.

TdB Arquitectura is an architecture studio that was founded in Barcelona in 1992. It has developed its practice in the fields of building and urban planning with an approach centred around the importance of urban integration, respect for building tradition and a deep commitment to serving society. While its main offices are currently located in Barcelona, it is also active in Madrid.