The economic crisis can become an opportunity to radically rethink the way we approach architecture. This is the belief that emerges from the words of the architects at Studio Lacol, a cooperative architecture firm founded in Barcelona in 2009, which has established itself as one of the most innovative players in the European landscape of social and sustainable architecture.
Born from the union of young professionals, Studio Lacol has succeeded in turning difficulties into opportunities to develop an alternative architectural practice, rooted in principles of environmental sustainability, social justice, and community participation. During their meeting with Diasen, the Lacol architects shared their professional experience, presenting a vision of living that goes beyond the construction of physical spaces to become a tool for social transformation.
From Crisis to Awareness: A New Way of Designing
Studio Lacol’s journey began with a deep reflection on the role of architecture in contemporary society. As the architects themselves explain, their generation experienced the architectural boom of the pre-crisis years, characterized by spectacular projects and unlimited budgets, only to later be forced to rethink their professional approach entirely.
This transformation led them to embrace a form of architecture that is simple, relatively low-cost, and always aimed at improving people’s lives. For Studio Lacol, architecture is not just a physical element or a self-serving space—it’s a tool for transforming how people live and relate to each other.
The Experience of Vivienda Cooperatives: Rethinking Collective Living
For years, the studio has focused primarily on co-housing (cooperativas de vivienda), developing a holistic approach that considers not only construction aspects but also social and relational dynamics. Each project starts with a reflection on how people will live in the building, what common spaces it can offer, and how it can foster relationships among residents.
This approach has led Lacol to conceive architecture as a tool of social transformation, capable of influencing people’s quality of life through intentional design choices. Their early work in Barcelona’s Sants barrio deeply shaped their understanding of the profession, teaching them the importance of a broad vision of sustainability.
360° Sustainability: Materials, Energy, and Society
Studio Lacol’s concept of sustainability extends far beyond materials—it embraces a holistic vision that includes social, economic, and relational dimensions. As the architects point out, the climate crisis cannot be solved just by installing solar panels on every rooftop. What’s needed is a radical change in lifestyle, which architecture can help promote through thoughtful design decisions.
Their approach to material sustainability favors locally sourced products such as lime, wood, earth, and cork, aiming to minimize environmental impact and transportation distances. However, working mainly in the field of social self-construction, they must often strike a balance between ecological aspirations and economic constraints.
Cork as a Key Player in Healthy Architecture
Among natural materials, cork holds a special place in Lacol’s design philosophy. As the architects highlight, this material not only offers excellent thermal performance but also contributes to healthy architecture by ensuring breathability, moisture regulation, and overall living comfort.
Cork perfectly embodies the studio’s approach to materials: it’s a product of the biosphere and can be regenerated in natural cycles, unlike synthetic materials that require geological eras to regenerate. Furthermore, its abundance in the Mediterranean area allows for the development of local circular economies, reducing dependency on materials from distant sources.
Mediterranean Architecture: Tradition and Climatic Innovation
Reflection on Mediterranean architecture is a central theme in Lacol’s vision. The architects emphasize that, with the Mediterranean climate changing, new design strategies are required. In this context, it is crucial to develop solutions that address heat rather than cold, prioritizing thermal mass, natural ventilation, and moisture control.
The Mediterranean has always been a crossroads of influences and cultures, capable of integrating the best solutions from various traditions. Today, according to Lacol, we must look to the Mediterranean to learn how to manage heat, which is the key climatic challenge of the future.
La Borda: A Manifesto of Sustainable Architecture
The project that best represents Lacol’s philosophy is La Borda, a building that has received numerous awards for demonstrating the feasibility of architecture with near-zero environmental impact.
The building is organized around a central courtyard covered by a greenhouse, which acts as a naturally climatized intermediate space. In winter, the greenhouse captures solar heat, maintaining temperatures 5–6°C higher than the outside; in summer, it provides protection from the sun and marine humidity, creating a more comfortable microclimate.
La Borda project proves that architecture can function through simplified complex systems, where a few thoughtful design solutions address regulatory and functional needs—without relying on high-tech systems that require costly maintenance.
Toward an Architecture of Natural Materials
Studio Lacol’s experience shows that choosing materials is an act of design responsibility that goes beyond technical performance. Each material carries with it a story and an environmental and social impact that affects the quality of living spaces.
The path toward more sustainable architecture involves rediscovering natural materials, capable of enabling the kind of architecture of health that Lacol promotes. In this scenario, research and innovation in the field of biocompatible materials become essential to support designers and architects in building environments that respect both the planet and the people who inhabit them.
Diasen’s approach to materials aligns with this vision, offering technical solutions that help bring to life the architectural ideals of studios like Lacol—where sustainability, health, and architectural beauty converge toward a more conscious way of building.
