La Morada . Barcelona

A pioneering housing cooperative in Roquetes, Barcelona, designed for community-oriented living.

La Morada is a groundbreaking housing cooperative located in the vibrant neighborhood of Roquetes, Barcelona. This innovative project was initiated by a diverse group of lesbians, trans individuals, and women from various feminist activism backgrounds, all united by a vision to create a sustainable, community-oriented, and supportive living model. Developed on a private plot owned by the Fundación la Dinamo, the Morada group secured the land through an open call in 2018, with the ambitious goal of constructing 12 affordable housing units.

The architectural design and construction management were expertly handled by Lacol, who embraced the role of project manager throughout the process. The design journey was marked by a participatory approach, actively involving future residents in shaping the vision of communal living that influences both the community spaces and individual homes.

At the heart of the project lies a spacious communal kitchen on the ground floor, strategically positioned to engage with the neighborhood by opening wide to the plaza. The entrance porch serves as a welcoming transition, facilitating fresh air through cross-ventilation linked to an interior patio. Above the kitchen, a loft accommodates guest rooms and a workspace for remote work, enhancing the functionality of the space.

The rooftop, fully accessible by elevator, boasts a large terrace adorned with a green roof, a photovoltaic pergola, and laundry facilities, further enriching the community experience. The 290 square meters of community spaces are designed for significant usability, complementing the interior areas of the homes.

The architectural approach emphasizes natural light and outdoor connectivity, opting for a larger interior patio while minimizing built structures. Generous walkways serve as both access points and social spaces, promoting interaction among residents. The kitchen acts as a focal point, bridging the communal and private areas while facilitating interaction along the walkways.

The design features a simple yet effective structure, utilizing concrete pillars and beams, along with unidirectional slabs of concrete and ceramic blocks. This rhythmic structural organization allows for small variations in housing layouts across floors while maintaining a cohesive design language. The building is enveloped in 10cm of external insulation and equipped with high-quality wooden closures, complemented by photovoltaic panels and aerothermal systems, achieving an impressive energy label A with zero CO2 emissions.