Throughout the course, the students worked from a key question: how does the future coexist with the environment? The aim was to rethink the relationship between architecture and sustainability through proposals that analyse flows on three scales: materiality, infrastructure, and territory. In this regard, special emphasis was placed on socio-ecological interactions and how materials can act as a tool for mitigating climate change.
The eight projects presented explore innovative solutions for a more resilient architecture. Some of the standout proposals include ReVINEA, an architectural system for vineyards that harnesses the suction of porous concrete to capture groundwater and reduce reliance on conventional irrigation systems; Living Desert, a self-sufficient habitat model in arid environments that advocates for compact, sustainable architectural systems; and Ülukumaa, a proposal for indigenous communities in La Guajira (Colombia) that integrates fog collection systems and seawater desalination to ensure access to water.
David Masip, one of the course lecturers, highlights the importance of the course's multidisciplinary nature: "One of the challenges CEMEX posed to us was how we could incorporate diverse perspectives in an architecture course. That’s why we invited biologists, engineers, anthropologists, and other experts to step outside our comfort zone and analyse climate and infrastructure through materials."
The event highlighted the importance of architecture that harmonises technology and nature, with solutions based on a multi-scalar approach and the integration of sustainable strategies. The teachers responsible for the course, Felipe Pich-Aguilera, David Masip, and Zuha Bari, praised the students' work, highlighting their innovation and ability to adapt to current environmental challenges.
Oriol París, PhD in Architecture and lecturer at UPC; Patricia Tamayo, PhD in Architecture and lecturer at UIC Barcelona School of Architecture; and Davide Zampini, Civil and Chemical Engineer and Director of R&D at CEMEX in Switzerland, were the guest judges.
