Sustainable Building Congress

Social housing is one of the most regulated building types, and standards meant to ensure quality often lead to standardisation, limiting experimentation. Yet, the increasing diversity in households and lifestyles demands innovation over outdated models. With thirty years of housing practice and projects across Europe—in London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva, and Vienna—I argue we must remain ‘resolutely optimistic’. Designing housing involves navigating spatial and budgetary limits, strict codes, and sustainability goals, while challenging a profit-driven industry. It also requires rethinking the individual–collective relationship and co-designing with communities to meet real needs. The rising interest in reusing and renovating existing buildings may offer a path to challenge current regulations and industry norms, enabling the change we need.

The architecture firm PERIS+TORAL will present the MODULUS MATRIX project, recently awarded the RIBA INTERNATIONAL PRIZE, which proposes a way of living and building with wood suited to the needs of the 21st century.

Industrialized construction is emerging as a key solution to tackle the global challenge of the lack of adequate social housing in cities. This session explores the benefits that this construction model can offer in terms of speed, efficiency, and sustainability, and how it can contribute to meeting the growing demand for public housing. With increasing pressure on urban resources and land scarcity, it is essential to transform traditional construction methods and adopt industrialized systems that enable the delivery of more and better housing, on time. This session will address innovative solutions to integrate industrialized construction into public policy, aiming for a future where access to housing is fairer and more accessible for all.

A project resulting from the collaboration between public entities: Nasuvinsa–Government of Navarra and the City Council of Pamplona.
The building houses 32 rental social housing units for people over 60 and people with disabilities, which include shared-use spaces and several municipal premises on the ground floors that will serve the neighborhood.
Constructed following sustainable and industrialized building standards, it ensures universal accessibility for all users.

IMHAB works from different perspectives to make sustainable, efficient housing a reality, building as quickly as possible and with the highest quality, while directly managing it to respond to current needs. At present, it is working to deliver the greatest amount of housing possible in the city.

SFJ6 is a project of 102 social housing units designed to integrate into the complex urban fabric of the eco-district of Puente de Vallecas in Madrid. In addition to providing high-quality housing, the building addresses and resolves several pre-existing urban issues while creating high-value public spaces, contributing to the improvement of the urban environment.

How the full industrialization of 100% of the affordable homes awarded through the Plan Vive tenders in the Community of Madrid, along with the implementation of a collaborative process among all stakeholders, enabled Culmia to successfully deliver the first awarded batch 6 months ahead of schedule.

Barriers to housing access in Spain demand a comprehensive approach that ensures accessible, affordable, and sustainable homes. This session will address the transformations in living arrangements, the impact of population aging, and the need for innovative solutions that ensure architectural quality and promote social cohesion in both urban and rural environments.

Social housing. A proposal that seeks to soften the strong image of a building of such size by folding it into a gentle zigzag, using parallelepipeds that gradually rotate, ensuring that the orthogonal shape and structure of the apartments is never compromised. The resulting spaces are pleasant and avoid monotony, turning an urban planning constraint into a design advantage.
These homes are a benchmark in efficient and sustainable public housing, with an energy certification and a goal of integrating the urban environment with nature.

In line with the orientations of the government program in the housing sector, the State Direct aid of housing support has been launched in Morocco and will be implemented between 2024 and 2028.

This initiative aims to facilitate access to homeownership, support citizens' purchasing power, and promote social inclusion by granting direct financial aid to buyers.
It also plays a crucial role in stimulating the housing sector, encouraging private sector participation, and boosting employment and financial activity.
The Ministry has put in place a series of measures to ensure the effective implementation of this program, including agreements with key stakeholders to guarantee good governance and transparency in the management of financial aid.
The program offers 100,000 MAD for homes priced at 300,000 MAD or less, including taxes, and 70,000 MAD for homes priced between 300,000 MAD and 700,000 MAD, including taxes.

In Spain, over 500,000 property transfers of dwellings take place annually, with more than 80% involving second-hand homes. The 2023 Housing Rights Law establishes buyers’ right to access relevant information about the property they acquire. Current situation in Spain and Europe, and the proposal of the Technical Warranty Certificate.

Roundtable discussion on the current housing crisis in Spain and Catalonia, focusing on access difficulties, rising prices, and the lack of public housing stock. We will analyze the structural and social causes of this crisis and discuss possible solutions from both the public and private sectors. A space for reflection with expert voices from the region.

Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of national development, particularly in Africa, where rapid population growth and economic expansion present both opportunities and challenges. Effective healthcare systems contribute to improved life expectancy, economic productivity, and overall social stability. In this keynote, David Adjaye will explore his vision for new models of economically sustainable healthcare and hospitals in shaping Africa's national development.

How can corporate social impact initiatives unlock talent, build more inclusive industries, and create long-term value for communities? This session explores the key insights gained from Limak Holding's experience on social impact initiatives, with a focus on the Global Engineer Girls program– supporting young women to pursue careers in STEM. It highlights how businesses can move beyond traditional CSR to create lasting change in the construction and engineering sectors, proving that genuine impact and business success are not mutually exclusive.

This presentation will address how the integration of innovative strategies and solutions in architectural design can directly improve people’s health and well-being. We will explore concrete examples where air and water quality, thermal, acoustic and lighting comfort, as well as ergonomics and accessibility, have been key elements in creating healthier spaces. We will briefly review the criteria for proper material and system selection. We will also examine how we have aimed to foster a connection with the natural environment and promote mobility and sociability within buildings, transforming them into environments that not only serve a function but also act as active agents in human health.

Architecture has a direct impact on human health, from the materials we use to the environments we inhabit. This round table explores how exposome research, material innovation, and bioconstruction expertise are redefining the way we design healthy spaces. A conversation between science and architecture to highlight building models that prioritize well-being.

Biohabitability is a multidisciplinary approach to achieving healthy homes by evaluating physical, chemical, and biological factors. Let’s discover what these factors are and how we can measure whether our home is truly healthy.

Did you know that the built environment affects your health more than you might think? Air quality, materials, lighting, and noise all influence well-being. However, measuring these impacts in isolation gives us only a partial view of the issue. In this talk, we will explore how digitalization and data analysis help us understand the relationship between the built environment and health.

The promotion and construction of affordable and social housing is not incompatible with housing dignity, and even less so with sustainability. The economic efforts required to achieve these goals are not especially high, although special attention must be paid to project design and the development of public-private collaboration models. There are already some successful examples.

La Termal is a private development of 14 apartments located in La Garriga and part of the European research program REN+HOMES. Built using the Evowall industrialized system, in collaboration with Roig Construccions, the building achieves the Passivhaus Plus standard. This high efficiency is one of the key aspects for achieving positive energy buildings. The project demonstrates the potential of industrialization to accelerate the ecological transition.

By examining several recent projects, I will explore the concept of integrated design in architecture. This approach, which combines various project parameters, allows us to develop innovative solutions to design challenges while creating unique, user-centered experiences.

The study analyzes the link between housing access difficulties and unwanted loneliness, especially among young people and the elderly. This research provides key insights to understand the intergenerational challenges in Spain's current housing context.

Ceremony

The awards ceremony and roundtable discussion, featuring the teams behind the winning works, the jury, and the expert committee, will be held on May 21st starting at 4:00 p.m., Main auditorium, Pavilion 2:

4.15 pm. Introduction
by Würth España SA, sponsor
Institutional Welcome by Fundació Mies van der Rohe, Curation; Construmat, Organization
Granting of Diplomas to the Nominees by Expert Committee
Granting of Diplomas to the Winners by members of the jury, Construmat and Würth España S.A.

Talks. Round Tables

 5.20 pm. Bio-based Construction Materials

Marta Peris, Peris + Toral arquitectes
Luca Volpi, Societat Orgànica
Àngels Castellarnau, edra arquitectura km0
Héctor Aventín, ELECNOR contractor
Eduardo Prieto, member of the Jury,  Auditorium

Ebru Özdemir, Chair of the Türkiye-Spain Business Council at DEİK, will present the strategic synergies between the Turkish and Spanish construction ecosystems. The session will highlight joint investment opportunities, international project development, and industrial partnerships that can strengthen Mediterranean leadership in sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure.

In this presentation, we will introduce the Ion Riva project, located in Riva, on the northern side of Istanbul. Ion Riva is designed as a unique lifestyle destination where nature, culture, art, and healthy living are harmoniously combined. It represents a modern example of connected living, where community, sustainability, and personal well-being come together.
A special focus will be placed on one of the four signature house within the project: the Beach House. We will dive into the details of the Beach House concept, exploring its architecture, design philosophy, and the unique living experience it offers.

Design, engineering and construction of mega projects under fast track scheme have certain requirements from project management point of view. This is independent of the type of the structure. We will cover these similarities giving real life examples from two mega projects. 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and Spotify Camp Nou.

This talk will highlight success stories where artificial intelligence has optimized projects in architecture, engineering, and construction, demonstrating its tangible impact on productivity and decision-making. Practical examples will be shown across generative design processes, construction management and execution, and even in real estate investment feasibility analysis.

SOCOTEC is optimizing its engineering services through the implementation of generative AI via its BlueGen platform. This enables safer and more efficient use of project data, as well as the rapid generation of pilot projects.
In this talk, we will address how AI is used to improve inspections, perform predictive risk analyses, and streamline certification processes. We will also present the use cases we are developing at SOCOTEC to support asset management tools and the monitoring of critical infrastructure.
We believe AI is crucial in engineering and architecture, as it optimizes processes, improves accuracy, and reduces costs in the design, production, and maintenance of complex systems. Therefore, we consider AI a necessary commitment to drive innovation in the construction and infrastructure sector.

How Artificial Intelligence (AI) can optimize processes, improve decision-making, and increase competitiveness through practical case studies. The goal of this session is to provide a strategic overview of how AI can bring value to professionals in the construction sector. How a professional can boost their productivity through automation and efficient data analysis, make better decisions using more precise and structured information, gain a competitive edge in a constantly evolving industry, and uncover new opportunities for innovation and efficiency in construction.

This session will analyze the presence of women in the construction sector. Topics will include the barriers to their advancement, strategies to increase their participation in various professional roles, and ways to promote equity within the industry.

In this session, we will explore the implementation of artificial intelligence at Alsina and the company's future strategy in this field. We will review the evolution from the first AI agent created five years ago to the current use of digital agents, as well as the challenges and opportunities we face. The session will feature Marc Forte and Pere Olivé, heads of digitalization and processes.

The College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona will organize a roundtable to analyze the evolution of artificial intelligence over the past year and its integration into the construction sector. The session will cover recent advancements, practical day-to-day applications, and real-world experiences in construction projects. It will conclude with a future outlook and recommendations to drive digital transformation and align with the regulatory framework.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the construction industry by optimizing processes, improving decision-making, and enabling its application in various use cases. In this series of talks, industry experts will analyze its impact on budget generation, integration into business processes, and how to implement it across different areas of the sector to maximize its potential.

Topics and speakers:

How AI helps in budget creation – David Santana, Co-Founder of Diip Artificial Intelligence

Successfully integrating AI into business processes – Núria Palahí, CTO of ITeC