SUSTAINABLE HOUSING "TERRACES FOR LIFE" · BARCELONA, SPAIN
Terraces for Life is an innovative social housing building located in the Verneda i La Pau neighborhood of Barcelona. Designed by the Urbanitree studio, the project stands out for its regenerative approach, its cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, and the integration of solutions that simultaneously address climate, social, and urban challenges.
The rooftop features a striking solar greenhouse over eight meters high, conceived as both a productive and communal space. Onyx Solar semi-transparent photovoltaic glass has been installed in this area, allowing natural light to enter while generating clean energy for the building’s common areas and the interior lighting of the greenhouse itself. This solution transforms the skylight into an active surface that combines energy efficiency, comfort, and design.
Each apartment includes a spacious private terrace, and the entire complex is organized around a central courtyard that ensures natural light, ventilation, and a sense of community among residents. On the ground floor, there is a Digital Fabrication Hub equipped with 3D printers, CNC machinery, and a hydroponic laboratory.
Winner of the first prize in the competition promoted by the Barcelona City Council, recipient of an honorable mention at the AVS 2025 Awards, and a finalist in the IV MINI Design Award, this project represents a new generation of public housing where architecture, sustainability, and technology merge with a transformative vision.
Urbanitree is a design and research studio based in Barcelona, with offices in Boston and Shenzhen, led by Daniel Ibáñez and Vicente Guallart. Their work follows a circular and decarbonizing approach that spans the entire value chain—from forest to building. Specializing in sustainable solutions using materials such as cross-laminated timber, they develop projects ranging from prototypes to urban plans, always with an ecological and social vision at both local and global scales.
Sorigué is a business group with over 70 years of experience, active in sectors such as construction, infrastructure, energy, and water management. Committed to sustainability, innovation, and value creation, it develops projects across the Iberian Peninsula and France, combining technical expertise with a long-term vision.
