APRÈN. Portal de la producció docent del professorat de la UPC

This thesis explores the impact of spatial fragmentation, social exclusion, and urban regeneration strategies in Barcelona's mass housing estates, with a particular focus on Besòs-Maresme and Ciutat Meridiana. These neighborhoods, shaped by historical urban policies and socio-economic challenges, exemplify the intersection between physical disconnection and socio-economic marginalization. Through spatial analysis, urban morphology studies, and policy evaluation, the research examines how public space interventions, ground-floor activation, and improved connectivity can enhance urban vitality and community resilience. The study assesses the effectiveness of the Pla de Barris regeneration program, identifying both its achievements and its limitations, particularly regarding long-term affordability, gentrification risks, and governance sustainability.

This work aims to investigate different forms of temporary and informal appropriation that occur in cities, with a view to elucidating the role of spontaneity in urban life and the relationships between activity, people and public space.The interventions under study are understood as micro-resistances that aim to appropriate public space in order to build sensitive experiences and thus disrupt the reassuring and pacifying image that consensus tries to forge.Specifically, the research aims to elucidate the processes by which these characteristics emerge, particularly in the context of street markets, which are regarded as one of the most ephemeral and oldest forms of urban organisation.It is postulated that this is the setting in which the distinction between flesh and stone (Sennet, 1994), and between passivity and protagonism (Oiticica, 1969) is eroded. In this context, vendors are regarded as the primary agents of urban vitality, transforming everyday life and creating opportunities based on novel micro-architectural designs that facilitate daily activities. The agents of this transient city, which is assembled and disassembled on a daily basis, are responsible for creating the architectural and urban dynamics of light and shadow, fullness and emptiness, and determining rhythms, uses, and forms. Through fieldwork, photographic surveys, categorization of the behaviours observed and the ephemeral supports detected, complemented by the discussion of some works which have dealt with the paradigm shift from modernity to postmodernity,the research systematises and discusses concepts of phenomenology, ordinariness, flexibility and unpredictability in Ballarò street market in Palermo, Sicily.The objective of this research is to elucidate and document the dynamics of this market, its processes, and the occupations around it. The objective is to present the market in various forms of drawing, creating a series of graphic representations that allows for re-reading urban life

This thesis explores the dynamic interplay between urban design and cultural identity in Islamic Cairo, an area acclaimed as a living open-air museum. The research investigates how public spaces in Islamic Cairo, with their rich historical significance, act and function to understand and propose stratigies to foster new identities and contemporary uses without detracting from the area's inherent historical and architectural value. The work proposes stratigies and analysis, examining their potential impacts on social, cultural, and economic dimensions, and envisions a sustainable model for the evolution of these spaces that honors the past while embracing the future. In doing so, the study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how urban interventions can enhance the experience of both residents and visitors, thereby reinforcing Islamic Cairo's stature as a vibrant and meaningful historical urban landscape. As for the values of analysing Al Moez street as the hub of Islamic Cairo, the abstract hints at the importance of contemporary use alongside historical preservation. This duality ensures that public spaces not only serve as a testament to the past but also as functional and inclusive areas that meet present-day needs, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the city.

This research analyzes the concept of urban centrality in the metropolitan context, exploring its definition and the factors that shape it based on four key dimensions: built environment, mobility, natural space, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The methodology is based on a multiscale analysis applied to the Barcelona metropolitan area, considering indicators at macro and mezzo levels. In the macro analysis, 15 areas identified in the Metropolitan Urban Master Plan (PDUM) as “metropolitan centralities” and “strategic nodes” were evaluated, while the mezzo analysis focused on three areas within the Vall Baixa i Ordal Functional Area. The results show that urban centrality is a dynamic phenomenon influenced by the intersection of transport networks, urban structure, and open spaces. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of integrating urban planning with climate mitigation and energy transition strategies to enhance metropolitan sustainability. The conclusions provide criteria to redefine the concept of centrality and its application in contemporary territorial planning.

Growing global concern about the environment, energy dependence, and the impact of fossil fuels has driven the development of advanced technologies for renewable energy generation. This is aligned with the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which seeks to have at least 20% of final energy consumption come from renewable sources, with the aim of decarbonizing cities worldwide. In this context, renewable energy research has highlighted the relevance of different photovoltaic systems, which include conventional systems attached to existing buildings (BAPV), building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), and building integrated thermal systems (BIPVT). These solutions offer an effective alternative to meet energy demand with low emissions, considering the life cycle of the systems. This research evaluates the photovoltaic potential in different typologies of high-rise social housing in Bogotá. It analyzes the feasibility of integrating photovoltaic systems (BAPV) to decarbonize the current energy system. It is concluded that horizontal surfaces present the greatest potential for use, while in typologies with less available area, such as towers, the percentage of coverage is reduced and even insufficient to cover energy consumption. The CO₂ payback time of these simulated systems is two years. In comparison, the economic payback is estimated at eight years for 2025, considering a useful life cycle of 25 years and the process associated with the circular economy of the system. The study highlights the importance of continuing to manage and invest in renewable energies in Colombia, highlighting the benefits of photovoltaic systems despite their limitations. It also emphasizes the need to move towards energy sobriety and a progressive material decrease to truly achieve a sustainable energy transition.

Una huella, más que la forma de un paso, es la evidencia de una forma de caminar; es un código dactilar que anuncia un proceso. Esta búsqueda se centra en revelar el proceso con el cual los antiguos habitaron la montaña, mostrando cómo la forma de cada asentamiento fue el resultado de un plan premeditado de conciencia. Esto implica adentrarse en sus creencias y entorno natural. Para ello, se analizarán tres culturas prehispánicas situadas en tres altitudes de la cordillera de los Andes, en el actual territorio colombiano. La montaña, en sí misma, representa la tierra, que a escala humana nunca es plana. Como lugar, aporta la condición de inclinación y sinuosidad, jugando con la gravedad, donde la vegetación, la geología, la topografía y el agua moldean la realidad. Esta condición dicta un orden en el mundo. En la antigüedad, las creaciones materiales buscaban ser una réplica del cielo en la tierra; un microcosmos. Tan sagrado era el elemento natural como la forma de trabajarlo. La arquitectura formaba parte de esa técnica ritual, alcanzada a través del entendimiento intuitivo de las manos sobre el material, que se expandía hasta construir un objeto, transformándose en superficie y llegando a contener el refugio del fuego o de la mente. Sus mitos y abstracciones de los ciclos del universo se convertían en tejados, incluso, en caminos y pueblos. Estas reflexiones permitirán entender una visión sistémica e interconectada de un lugar que fue habitado hace milenios, pero que sigue existiendo en el presente y, aún más, en el futuro. Las mismas montañas y los mismos ríos continúan vivos hoy. Así, descubriremos un proceso lógico que no es lineal; en su lugar, es cíclico, se regenera una y otra vez, creando con fragmentos, capas sobre capas y actuando como corrector de sus propios errores. Un proceso en busca de un futuro en equilibrio, donde la vida es cíclica, como los jardines, las estaciones y los procesos de la naturaleza.

Esta investigación propone una nueva manera de entender la composición tripartita clásica de la arquitectura —base, fuste y capitel— a través de los conceptos de encastre, envolvente y entrega. Más que simples partes estructurales, estas definiciones buscan resignificar la relación entre el edificio y su entorno natural. El encastre conecta la base del edificio con el territorio, integrando elementos como jardines y sistemas de captación de agua que devuelven algo al paisaje urbano. La envolvente se convierte en un mediador entre el interior y el exterior, liberando vistas y potenciando el diálogo con la naturaleza. La entrega, por su parte, reinterpreta la conexión con el cielo a través de jardines en las azoteas, transformándolos en espacios de encuentro y contemplación. A partir del análisis de las torres de Alberto Kalach, esta investigación reflexiona sobre cómo la arquitectura, cuando actúa en armonía con la naturaleza, tiene el poder de restaurar el equilibrio entre lo construido y lo natural. Se invita al lector a imaginar nuevas formas de habitar, donde cada parte del edificio sea un puente hacia el mundo que lo rodea.

There is a place where the immediate needs of the human being are abandoned in favor of the symbolic. It relates with the earth, the interior, the dark, and the decay, but also with the distant, the volatile, and the uncanny. This place is the cemetery. This architecture proposes a great contradiction: it protects a being who no longer needs protection. Unlike a house, which separates an individual from the external environment and creates a space for inner life, the cemetery keeps only the idea of life, and represents the absence of the person. Throughout this investigation, we will explore the contradictions that originate, motivate, and emerge in the architecture of a cemetery. This is an architecture that opposes the symbolic to the utilitarian. It is precisely the symbolic that which propels its magic. It has been a common form of artistic expression since ancient times, serving as a way to deal with the utterly unknown, especially when confronted with the terribleness of death.

El objetivo de la tesis es ofrecer una mirada a la ciudad de Barcelona a través de los escaparates. El escaparate es un espacio umbral, tanto de forma física como simbólica, que se sitúa entre la calle y la tienda, así como entre la arquitectura y la gente. La investigación parte de la premisa de observar la ciudad a través de los escaparates, concebidos como los museos de nuestra civilización. En este contexto, la primera etapa de la investigación consistió en la búsqueda de información de archivo, recolectando casos de estudio bajo el criterio de la exposición del producto hacia la calle. Esta búsqueda permitió estructurar la tesina en dos escalas: urbana y arquitectónica. La primera explora los escaparates como espacios que dialogan con el exterior, no solo mediante distintas estrategias de diseño que invitan al ciudadano a ser partícipe, sino también a través del papel fundamental que desempeñaron en la construcción de la identidad de la ciudad. La segunda concibe el escaparate como un espacio capaz de articular el interior y el exterior, donde sus límites son difusos, un lugar que promueve el encuentro y que divulga la cultura a través de la exposición. A diferencia del consumo, algunos escaparates en Barcelona promueven el arte de vender, y su éxito fue dado por sus propietarios.

Derived from the excessive generation of trash and exacerbated by consumerism and the lack of sustainable practices in production and materials handling, the waste management crisis manifests itself as one of the main environmental and social challenges of our time, with the Industrial Revolution being the major turning point. To mitigate its impact, its management is often approached reactively rather than proactively, with architecture being no exception. Just as food has significantly influenced the history of settlements, digestion is often seen as a mere appendage to this process, when in fact it has the potential to be symmetrical to it. This research investigates the existence of models, prototypes, architectures, or protocols in which, proactively, digestion has been considered as the driving force of design and speculates on the urban imaginaries that would emerge if these currently isolated realities were scaled up in the reconfiguration of the contemporary city. After locating, organising, and studying more than 30 examples, a series of cross-analyses are carried out to determine the effectiveness and replicability of each case, in order to identify those with the greatest latent capacity for implementation or further research. In conclusion, it underlines the importance of breaking the dichotomy between resource and waste, which leads us to underestimate the potential of a material considered useless. It also emphasises the need to take care of our ‘technological monsters', which, by turning our backs on them, we deny their participation in the medium design. In short, this is an incomplete compendium on the architectures of digestion.

La presente tesis investiga el carbono incorporado en edificaciones históricas, centrándose en la Casa Bellesguard de Gaudí, la Casa Pilar Moragas de Puig i Cadafalch y la Casa Roviralta de Rubió i Bellver, ubicadas en Barcelona. Se compara el carbono incorporado de estas construcciones con el de edificaciones modernas. A través de un análisis exhaustivo de los materiales utilizados, sus métodos de extracción, transporte y fabricación en su época, se calcula el carbono incorporado y se compara con el contemporáneo.

Urban regeneration is constant a constant process that can be found in every town and city around the world. The process always has a strong effect not only on the urban areas of the city but also on the community itself. Even if affected by ongoing national matters, the system concentrates on the needs of the city. Urban re-development can be achieved by different project. The thesis will be reviewing the present day situation in the city of Varna, the Sea Capital of Bulgaria. A long-time problem referring to the increasing cultural stillness of the city has been broth to attention. One of the main reasons the small number of cultural establishments which are fundamental spaces where the community can express and increase its knowledge. World wildly, libraries are believed to be main institutions of culture, Due to the lack of an offi cial Library in Varna, the citizens can be considered even more pushed away from the desire to improve. For a large city as Varna it is essential to provide a cultural establishment in proper scale. Such project can have great effect on the city no matter its location. Reaching to that conclusion, one should not miss this opportunity to begin a new urban regeneration.

This thesis focuses on the project evolution of Tate Modern (London), a successful museum renovated by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (H&dM). However, it starts with a different approach: evaluating the drawings from a media perspective. By examining the drawings published by various print media including professional magazines and books over different period, the thesis covers the project spanning over 20 years, from the competition in 1994 to its second realization in 2016 and subsequent developments to the present day, encompassing two distinct phases: renovation (TM1) and extension (TM2). Drawings selected cover conventional types such as floor plans, sections, elevations, master plans etc. As drawing is the main language for architects, each type of drawing conveys distinct information. Collectively, they provide a comprehensive understanding of the project. For readers, they serve as significant tools to understand architectural projects. Throughout the years, the drawings of tate modern in each project phase are published by one of the magazines continuously almost every single year, from the early publication by ANY in 1996, several times by Spanish El Croquis, once by German Detail, etc. Forming a chronology where the evolution of drawings is obvious. Meanwhile, Tate Modern is regarded by Herzog & de Meuron as their core project in the development of the firm. During the long collaboration with the Tate, they gradually became capable of doing international projects and gained fame globally. Not a coincidence, three chronologies overlap: first is the evolution of the project Tate Modern; the other is evolution of drawings in print media publications; and the third is the development of architects and the firm. Through such juxtaposition, we can see there are subtle influence and interactions between one another. Print media is a special type of publication compared with other the popular internet based media nowadays on account of its distinguished features like its physical materility, restriction on pages and format, periodicity, and editorial decision. For this reason, compared with original archives, print media, especially magazines, could only cover part of the story. But when we compare between various paperbacks, it is obvious that drawings are selected or neglected, same set of drawings are presented in different styles under various editorial decisions, arranged in different typology, graphic design, layout, and image-text relations and distributions. As far as accessibility to local and online libraries, publications that have published the entire project of Tate Modern are collected as many as possible, at the end being sufficient to develop a understanding of the essential stages of the project evolution. Simultaneously, in order to achieve a better understanding of reasons behind differences between versions of drawing types, this thesis combs through the versions according to time, discover several cuts in the project evolution which then become essential phases to understand the evolution process. By overlapping the chronologies of versions of drawings and the development of H&deM office, we can also find out how the versions of published drawings are related to their management. After all, it is a journey of discovering how architects present a single project in different period and publications. The methology by tracing architectural drawings through media is potential to explore more contemporary and historical projects.

The thesis investigates the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, focusing on its influence on contemporary Islamic architecture and whether it genuinely upholds Islamic architectural values. It begins by exploring the foundational principles of Islamic architecture, such as cultural preservation, self-sufficiency, and human-centered design. By classifying award-winning projects, the study distinguishes between those that adhere to these traditional values and those that align more with modernist global trends. The analysis reveals that many projects favored by the award diverge from Islamic architectural principles, reflecting a shift toward global design trends over the preservation of Islamic heritage.

There is a plethora of completely enclosed urban fragments resulting from top down, stereotypical urban planning in numerous major cities across China, including campuses, public hospitals, large-scale communities, parks, and parking lots. These enclosed boundaries contribute to issues of urban isolation, functional singularity, segregation, and homogeneity. My research is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by these closed systems and proposing corresponding architectural interventions. The study focuses on the linear spaces along the edges of campuses, aiming to explore opportunities for transitioning and connecting the intermediate spaces between university campuses and the city through reshaping, blurring, and breaking boundaries, thereby seeking to reshape the urban landscape and foster a more integrated and open urban environment.

Urban Fabric Renewal in the City of Lviv – This topic was chosen as a result of studying the city's issues and identifying the most pressing ones. Since the initial formation of the urban fabric and its peak development, many changes have occurred, related to shifts in the use of spaces, priorities, population growth, and city expansion without corresponding network development and basic infrastructure. The research on this topic involves exploring methodologies, strategies, and inclusive architectural practices for the adaptive reuse of abandoned spaces and the socio-economic revitalization of districts. Beyond the historic center of the city, industrial, railway, and military facilities, built between the 19th and early 20th centuries, were scattered around. However, these sites are now located within the broader historic area of the large city. The objects that have lost their original functions still retain their exceptional character, dictated by their era, and offer opportunities for the city's development by continuing the city's tradition with its unique aesthetic—color and architectural form. A pressing issue in the urban planning of Lviv is the proper identification of development prospects and the reconstruction of industrial zones, complexes, and structures. This includes approaches to the renaturation of polluted lands and limitations on the character and aesthetics of new architectural solutions. Thanks to thematic research and design methodologies from projects like the Hangar of Creativity in Livorno, the Matadero complex in Madrid Rio, and the renovation of the Mercedes factory in Barcelona, it has become possible to develop a general strategy for the sustainable development of urban fabrics through the revitalization of former abandoned areas. The studied objects of urban revitalization of abandoned buildings and areas are grouped either by a new dominant function or by multiple functions, which in turn creates a new place of centrality within the city. The identified tools for the renovation of areas include: 1 Development of the creative industry; 2 Reassessment of functional purposes; 3 Implementation of the concept of expanding the city center, connecting it with central spaces; 4 Reconstruction of historical sites; 5 Creation of new residential complexes; 6 Establishment of educational complexes, integrated with housing or future employment opportunities, which motivates the population

This research investigates the deterioration and challenges faced by the historical neighborhoods of Tehran, focusing on areas surrounding the Bazaar, Oudlajan, Arg, and Sanglaj. These districts, once vibrant centers of cultural and social life, are now in decline due to factors such as physical decay, population displacement, unregulated commercial expansion, and inadequate urban infrastructure. The study explores the complex interplay between these factors and the historical, social, and economic transformations that have contributed to the neighborhoods' current state. Utilizing a combination of qualitative methods, including historical map analysis, field observations, and a SWOT analysis, the research identifies the core issues impacting the habitability of these neighborhoods. Key findings include the negative impact of unplanned urban development, the conversion of residential areas into commercial spaces, and the resulting loss of social cohesion and cultural identity. Additionally, the study highlights the lack of adequate infrastructure, public spaces, and transportation options as significant barriers to revitalization. To address these challenges, the research proposes a multi-dimensional approach, integrating preservation, renewal, and selective reconstruction to improve habitability. The revitalization strategies emphasize restoring the architectural and cultural integrity of the neighborhoods, improving urban infrastructure, creating green spaces, and enhancing public transport networks. By leveraging the economic and tourism potential of the Bazaar and surrounding areas, the study suggests that these neighborhoods can be transformed into dynamic, sustainable urban environments. Community engagement and participatory planning are also identified as essential for ensuring that redevelopment efforts align with the needs and interests of current residents.

Contemporary examples of collective living highlight the crucial role of common spaces in fostering a sense of community, while movement within architectural spaces shapes how residents experience and interact with their environment. This thesis explores the intersection of architectural design and social dynamics, focusing on how common spaces can promote movement and social interaction in residential housing projects. Drawing from Jan Gehl's principles on public spaces, the research begins by exploring the impact of spatial design on social interactions and movement in public spaces and then shifting its focus on housing projects. The objective is to explore how architecture can go beyond mere functionality, turning common spaces into areas that promote social connections, casual engagements and a vibrant community life. The thesis uses a complex methodology, analyzing three case studies of collective housing in Barcelona- 111 Building, La Chalmeta and Modulus Matrix. Every case is examined through three perspectives: the initial design objectives and intentions, the spatial layout and structure based on key architectural parameters, and a post-occupancy analysis involving on-site visits, direct observations, and interviews with residents. This approach allows for a better understanding of how common spaces perform in practice and how they impact the everyday experiences of the inhabitants. Through this analysis, the thesis identifies patterns and trends that contribute to the effectiveness or limitations of common spaces. Lastly, it suggests a design tool that can benefit both new and existing buildings, with the goal of increasing social interaction, encouraging physical activity, and enhancing the overall well-being of residents.