Jordi Roviras’ speech focused on explaining how the characteristics of architecture can improve people’s health and well-being, and in this context, he analysed how to improve indoor air quality through architecture and construction. Roviras pointed out that “we are beginning to be known as the indoor generation, since we spend more than 90% of our time in indoor spaces: at home, at school, at the office, at the gym, etc.” The architect stressed that several years ago the World Health Organization warned that the inside air in our homes is between five and ten times more polluted than outside air.

In this sense, the lecturer pointed out that “these levels of toxicity come mainly from the materials used in construction, electrical installations and poor ventilation of spaces among other things.”

The Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, opened these interactive and participatory type sessions, which showed that the European projects and initiatives are not only innovative and sustainable, but also accessible, affordable and socially committed, in line with the New European Bauhaus initiative. In short, the session spotlighted the cultural and creative industries as true social and innovative engines.

This was the first event promoted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sport, organised by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), which was held as part of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The event was attended by several representatives from the Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Union, the Barcelona City Council, among other personalities from the international scientific field.