Barcelona Beyond Boundaries, Spain

Out of 51 sites across Europe, our studio chose to focus on the El Besòs i el Maresme neighbourhood in Barcelona — an area marked by urban vulnerability and pressing social and environmental challenges. This historic district, developed in the 1950s on reclaimed salt marshes, now faces a housing shortage and a lack of quality urban spaces, compounded by scarce ground-floor premises for local commerce.

Our design task, Let The Birds Sing!, proposes a radical rethinking of public space as a biodiverse landscape that actively nurtures both people and the environment. Moving beyond conventional approaches, we envision public spaces as dynamic, living places that embody resilience and hope. Through thoughtful design, we seek to create an inclusive, sustainable urban fabric that addresses climate change impacts, fosters social cohesion, and revitalizes the neighbourhood’s natural and cultural heritage.

This project stands as a testament to the belief that YES, WE CAN transform urban crises into opportunities for ecological and social regeneration.