Illa Glòries Social Housing by Cierto Estudio

Winning the prestigious 2017 international competition organized by the Institut Municipal de l’Habitatge i Rehabilitació de Barcelona (IMHAB), Cierto Estudio redefined urban social housing with their innovative proposal for the Illa Glòries block. Situated at the dynamic intersection between Barcelona’s forward-thinking 22@ technological district and the historic, grid-like Eixample neighborhood, the project sets a new standard for sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused living.

A Holistic Approach to Social Housing

The master plan for Illa Glòries comprises 238 apartments across multiple buildings, with Building A, designed by Cierto Estudio, delivering 51 dwellings that exemplify a comprehensive vision of urban living. Central to the design is the integration of a gender perspective, aimed at fostering equity, safety, and inclusivity by addressing the diverse needs of contemporary families and social structures.

Cierto Estudio’s approach challenges traditional housing layouts by promoting spatial strategies that encourage interaction, mutual support, and the visibility of caregiving activities within the home. This fosters an environment where shared domestic responsibilities and community engagement are natural outcomes, supporting equitable gender roles and social cohesion.

Innovative Spatial Organization and Social Interaction

At the heart of the design is the balancing of density with permeability, creating a housing block that is both secure and open to its urban context. The residences are organized around two large communal courtyards and interconnected by continuous communal balconies. This “corrala” layout—a historic typology rooted in Spanish urbanism—cultivates a dense network of mutual vigilance and interaction among neighbors.

The spatial configuration intentionally promotes crossed sightlines and natural surveillance, significantly enhancing collective safety. This is especially important in addressing gender-based violence risks, ensuring that public and semi-private realms are safe and welcoming for all residents. The courtyards themselves are shielded from the public street but maintain visual connectivity, striking a thoughtful balance between privacy and openness. Meanwhile, the balconies function as vibrant outdoor extensions of private homes, linking individual apartments with shared patios and rooftop gardens, turning these communal areas into active parts of daily life.

Flexible and Equitable Living Spaces

The interior layouts prioritize adaptability and equity, rejecting hierarchical spatial organization in favor of flexible rooms of similar size and importance. This approach empowers residents to customize the use of their living spaces according to their evolving needs, encouraging a non-traditional distribution of domestic roles and activities.

A centrally positioned kitchen acts as a social and spatial connector within each apartment, fostering communication and inclusiveness. Hinged partitions and centrally located rooms enhance the fluidity between private and communal spaces, offering residents autonomy while reinforcing connections within households. The design promotes a lifestyle that is both individual and collective, reflecting contemporary shifts in family dynamics and domestic responsibilities.

Environmental Responsibility and Sustainability

Illa Glòries exemplifies sustainable architecture by adhering to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards. The project employs cross-laminated timber (CLT) as its primary structural material, a renewable resource that offers excellent thermal performance and reduces the carbon footprint compared to conventional concrete and steel.

Passive design strategies further optimize energy efficiency, including cross-ventilation, solar shading devices, and extensive green roofs. These elements improve indoor comfort while mitigating the urban heat island effect—a crucial consideration in Barcelona’s Mediterranean climate. Impressively, over 60% of the site is dedicated to green spaces, creating a healthy, vibrant environment for residents and contributing positively to urban biodiversity and microclimate regulation.

A New Paradigm for Social Housing

Through its innovative blend of social inclusivity, flexible spatial design, and environmental stewardship, the Illa Glòries Social Housing project sets a new paradigm for urban residential architecture. It demonstrates how high-density housing can nurture community, equity, and sustainability without compromising on comfort or security.

Cierto Estudio’s vision offers a compelling model for future social housing developments worldwide, one that respects diverse family forms and gender equity while engaging with pressing environmental challenges in the urban context.

Photography: Marta Vidal & Jose Hevia