The students of UIC Barcelona School of Architecture have started the year with the 2024 Vertical Workshop. For four days from 3 to 6 September, students from second to fifth year have explored the possibilities of modular wooden structures to create innovative shelter spaces. Under the title “Build It Yourself: Modular Wood Systems for Shelter Spaces”, participants developed 1:2 scale prototypes in reimagining shelter and play spaces, inspired by the concepts of Homo Sapiens, Homo Faber and Homo Ludens. 

The projects submitted were assessed by a jury made up industry professionals from the field of architecture, David Tapias, founder and director of Aixopluc Architectures; Eugeni Bach, co-director of the studio A&EB Arquitectes; and Tomeu Ramis, co-founder of FLEXO Arquitectura. The jury, which brought its vast experience and knowledge to the evaluation process, highlighted the creativity, functionality and sustainability of the projects presented.

Kigumi, winning project of the Vertical Workshop

Kigumi was awarded best project of the workshop by the jury. The project stands out for its awareness of the environmental problems affecting the coast and beaches of Barcelona, addressing coastal erosion and offering creative, innovative and sustainable solutions.

The Kigumi project was specially created in response to the severe loss of surface area that Barcelona’s beaches have experienced in the last 14 years. Erosion has become one of the greatest threats to the coastline of the Catalan capital, with the recent loss of approximately 800,000 cubic metres of sand, equivalent to 30% of the volume of the Camp Nou stadium. Accordingly, the students designed the shelter with the aim of addressing this problem, proposing an innovative and functional structure.

2024 Vertical Workshop

With this new edition of the Vertical Workshop, UIC Barcelona reaffirms its commitment to train architects capable of responding to the challenges of the 21st century, promoting innovation, creativity, sustainability and practical experimentation. 

The Vertical Workshop enabled students from second to fifth year to explore the potential of modular wood structures, focusing on design, construction and functionality. Inspired by the concepts of Homo Sapiens (thinker), Homo Faber (maker) and Homo Ludens (player), this workshop encourages critical thinking, creativity and practical experimentation. 

The workshop opened 3 September at the Barcelona Campus of UIC Barcelona, with an opening session by Jordi Roviras, director of the 2024 Vertical Workshop, and the three members of the jury. The projects were developed during the week at the university and on 6 September the prototypes were built at 1:2 scale on campus, where the jury assessed them, and the closing ceremony took place.

In this edition, Sandro Mistrali participated as the coordinator, and the architects Álex Clarà, Magdalena Barceló Sansó, Ignacio Morente Gemas, Eva Sanllehi, and Marcos Puig Fernández-Tubau served as instructors.

In addition, the workshop was sponsored by companies Gabarró, Rothoblaas and Tallfusta, whose contributions and support have been fundamental to the success of the initiative.