Lacol is a Barcelona-based architecture cooperative focused on social housing, emphasizing community engagement, sustainability, and user participation in designing non-speculative, innovative living spaces.
Lacol is a Barcelona-based architecture cooperative that has been making waves in the field of social housing since its inception in 2014. With a team of 14 members, Lacol focuses on using architecture as a tool for social transformation, emphasizing participation, sustainability, and community engagement. One of Lacol's most notable projects is La Borda, a housing cooperative that has become a model for non-speculative housing in Spain. La Borda was born out of a community-driven process in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona and features 28 units and community spaces designed to foster collective living. The project has received numerous awards, including the 2019 City of Barcelona Award for Architecture and Urbanism and the European Union Contemporary Architecture Prize for Emerging Architecture. Lacol's approach to architecture is characterized by a strong emphasis on user participation and sustainability. The cooperative works closely with future inhabitants to design and build projects that meet their specific needs, prioritizing passive strategies to minimize environmental impact. This approach is evident in La Borda, which features a green roof with photovoltaic panels and a leasehold model that puts the focus on the inhabitants rather than speculation. Through projects like La Borda and La Balma, another housing cooperative in Poblenou, Lacol is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in social housing. By combining innovative design with a commitment to community engagement and sustainability, Lacol is helping to create a more equitable and sustainable urban landscape.