The Wikihousing project, winner of the BitHabitat urban innovation contest in 2021, is erecting four social housing units of 50 square meters each on a public plot on Avinguda de l'Exposició, in the Poble-sec neighborhood. This pioneering initiative, promoted by architects' cooperatives, stands out for being wooden, modular, and highly sustainable, requiring no heating or cooling.
Architect David Juárez, from the Straddle3 firm and head of the construction, refers to the structure as a 'school-building' for public housing. One hundred young people with diverse backgrounds have been trained in occupational workshops on design and construction, obtaining certified qualifications from the College of Architects of Catalonia and the Impulsem center.
“"It has tested the limits of everything: the possibilities of a small plot, participation, training, materials, and finances; the result is a truly communal experience."
The building's energy efficiency is partly due to its privileged, south-facing location, according to architect Luca Volpi of Societat Orgànica. The project uses sustainable wood in CLT panels and aligns with the circular economy, incorporating recycled materials such as street tiles in the lobby and donated glass to separate interior spaces.
The agreement with the Barcelona City Council was signed at the end of 2024. The council provides the plot and finances half the cost of the work (about 500,000 euros). The four flats will be integrated into the city's public housing stock and allocated by lottery among young people aged 18 to 35 registered as social housing applicants.
