On Tuesday, October 21, Arquitectes per la Sostenibilitat (AuS), together with the Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya (COAC), the CSCAE and the ACE-CAE, organized the fourth edition of the conference “Decarbonizing Architecture”, a key event for discussing the ecological transition of the architectural sector and of great importance for the AuS group.
Once again presented by meteorologist Francesc Mauri, the conference brought together leading professionals and institutions to share visions and strategies toward a fairer, more responsible, and decarbonized architecture. The opening session featured remarks from Guillem Costa Calsamiglia (COAC), Greta Tresserra (President of AuS), Marta Vall-llossera (CSCAE), Carl Bäckstrand (ACE-CAE), and Iñaqui Carnicero (MIVAU- Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana).
Active participation of AuS members
One of the most remarkable aspects of this edition was the collective and committed participation of AuS members. The first rows were filled, becoming a true intergenerational meeting point for the group. The new board —Greta Tresserra (President), Jade Serra and Albert Sagrera (Vice Presidents), Sònia Hernández-Montaño (Secretary), Toni Escudé (Treasurer), and board members Bea de Diego, Àngels Castellarnau, Sander Laudy, Licinio Alfaro, and Marta Galisteo— played an active role both in the preparation and as speakers, alongside a large number of members. This reinforced the group’s role as a driving force for change within COAC. Their presence symbolizes a shared commitment to decarbonization and to an architecture aligned with climate and social objectives.
Program
Before the sessions began, the conference opened with the keynote lecture “The Climate Emergency in Europe”, delivered by Mar Santamaría, co-founder of 300.000 Km/s, and Albert Soret from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). Their talk provided data and a scientific and forward-looking perspective on the climate crisis across the continent.
Session 1 · Agendas for Change
Moderated by Dolores Huerta (GBCe), the first session analyzed how decarbonization policies are being integrated with housing access policies, through a strategic and territorial planning perspective. It also addressed instruments of the EPBD and the potential of their transposition at the national level, such as the CTE, the National Renovation Plan, and the Renovation Passport. Participants included Marcos Ros (European Parliament), Albert Cuchí (former president of AuS), María Teresa Verdú (MIVAU), Albert Sagrera, and Joaquim Arcas, current Vice President and member of AuS, respectively. Together, they offered complementary technical and political perspectives on how to make the decarbonization of architecture a reality.
Session 2 · Renovation: Improving Our Lives, Homes, and Cities
Moderated by Sandra Bestraten, Barcelona President of the COAC and member of AuS, this session showcased transformative projects such as La Bombeta (Lacol and Societat Orgànica), The Cosmopolitan (&bogdan), rural housing renovations in Alt Pirineu (Coop d’Era), and the Prodis Foundation (Harquitectes). Each project demonstrated how renovation goes far beyond energy efficiency, contributing to inclusion, health, and quality of life.
Session 3 · The “New” New Construction
Moderated by Albert Sagrera, Vice President of AuS, this session presented outstanding practices in biomaterials, circularity, and energy efficiency. Highlights included projects by Jade Serra (Slowstudio), Vice President of AuS, together with Jesús Alonso and Figueras (ALFI biocons SL), focusing on bioclimatic design and responsible single-family housing construction. The Hortus Building and Ricola Warehouse were presented by Alexander Franz (Herzog & de Meuron); 17 social housing units featuring local biomaterial innovation by Sara Ferran (taller11); and a talk on circularity by Juan Pablo Herrero (EFFEKT Arkitekter).
Final Round Table · A Vision for the Future
Moderated by Greta Tresserra, President of AuS, the final round table brought together both international and local voices, with participants Sorcha Edwards (Housing Europe), Ruth Schagemann (BAK), and Maite Sainz de la Maza (Fetdeterra). The discussion focused on the importance of innovation and on the actions required by each actor in the sector to make climate neutrality a feasible and realistic goal.
Site Visits – October 22
The following day, as a new feature of this edition, visits were organized to exemplary projects in Barcelona: La Comunal and La Lleialtat Santsenca (Sants), social housing developments in Sant Martí and Ciutat Vella, and the Can Portabella Community Center (Sant Andreu). Many AuS members took part, sharing their experience and direct involvement in implementing sustainable solutions that integrate efficiency, responsible materials, and social commitment.
This experience is expected to be repeated in the coming months with other AuS members who were unable to attend.
Overall, “Decarbonizing Architecture 2025” highlighted the central role of AuS as a driving force for innovation in the sector. Thanks to the active participation of its board and members, the association reaffirmed its commitment as a national and international reference point and a key platform for debate.