This past Tuesday, June 18, Jade Serra and Sònia Hernández, board members of AUS, participated in the LifeHábitat Congress, International Congress of Engineering, Architecture, Health, and Well-being, promoted by AEICE Efficient Habitat Cluster.
During these sessions, the crucial role of architecture in promoting people’s health and well-being was discussed. Marta Cos highlighted the importance of research in healthcare environments and the creation of tools that improve these spaces through an approach of architectural humanization to create comfortable, functional, and healthy environments. Dr. Carlos Gómez Peña presented his work on multisensory rooms, showing how they can induce measurable relaxation states in patients with neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy and Alzheimer’s. Rita Gasalla explained the principles of Healthy Architecture, noting how factors such as air quality, light, and noise can influence people’s creativity and performance. Miriam Fernández Cuevas emphasized the importance of designing museums that are transformative experiences, integrating technology and storytelling to enrich the cultural and educational experience of visitors.
The congress, held on June 18 and 19, was structured into three thematic blocks: “The science behind built spaces,” “Binomial between health and new trends in the habitat sector,” and “Health as a brand strategy.”
Jade Serra had the honor of moderating the round table, within block 1, titled: “Applied Neuroarchitecture in different typologies,” a communication forum between professionals and agents from the habitat and social-healthcare sectors. This panel featured prominent professionals such as Miriam Fernández Cuevas, Project Manager at ACCIONA Cultura; Marta Cos Espuña, Director of Innovation at PMMT Healthcare Architecture; Rita Gasalla Regojo, President of the Observatory of Healthy Architecture (OAS) and CEO of Galöw; and Dr. Carlos Gómez Peña from the Biomedical Engineering Group at the University of Valladolid.
Following this, Sònia Hernández moderated the round table within block 2 titled “Strategic Encounters: where sectors communicate.” These encounters are debate spaces that address different blocks of the congress, emphasizing multidisciplinary contact. Sònia Hernández moderated the session “Health is on the inside.” Participants in this session included Ramon Torrents Pairó, Managing Partner at Ahead Barcelona Healthcare Architecture; María Luisa Nolé Fajardo, researcher at the Neuroarchitecture Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Valencia; Ángela Juarranz, Architect and Founder of Estudio Juarranz; Andoni Diaz Torres, President of the General Council of Interior Design CGCODDI; and Ana Espinel Valdivieso, General Director at Audiotec Acoustic Engineering Group and member of the Board of Directors of AEICE Efficient Habitat Cluster.
The discussions highlighted the need for public policies that support architectural practices focused on health and sustainability, underscoring that, in times of climate emergency, architecture must create sustainable and resilient environments that prioritize the health of people and the planet.