The Lady Raval social housing rethinks density and daylight in Barcelona by preserving the triangular site while introducing fragmented volumes and narrow courtyards for natural light and ventilation. Designed by MIAS Architects with Coll-Leclerc Arquitectos, the project maintains the sharp geometry of the plot and organizes five staggered blocks along north-south corridors. From certain angles it reads as a solid mass with carved openings, while from others the distinct volumes are emphasized. Each floor provides twelve two-bedroom apartments, oriented toward corners to maximize sunlight and natural ventilation.
The façade alternates between glass and ribbed red fiber-reinforced concrete, referencing the textile-dyeing history of the neighborhood while supporting thermal efficiency. Key sustainability measures include a Bubble-Deck slab that reduces concrete by 35 percent, the use of recycled PVC, prefabricated construction for reduced emissions, and rooftop photovoltaic panels generating more than half of the building’s energy. Lady Raval social housing demonstrates how compact design can balance density, comfort, and climate responsibility.
Image Credit: MIAS Architects
