Barcelona City Council has unveiled a pioneering wooden public housing block in the Poble-sec neighbourhood. This four-story residential building, constructed entirely from prefabricated wooden modules, highlights a push towards faster, more sustainable urban development. Dubbed ‘WikiHousing’, the project’s main structure was erected in a record time of just six weeks.
Rapid construction for urgent housing needs
The development serves a dual purpose: addressing the city’s urgent need for affordable housing and testing innovative, eco-friendly construction methods. Consequently, the building comprises four flats, each approximately 50 square metres. These homes are dedicated exclusively to young people aged 18 to 30 who are registered in the Registry of Applicants for Officially Protected Housing.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Wooden Public Housing Barcelona: WikiHousing Project Built in Six Weeks
Jordi Valls, the Fourth Deputy Mayor for Housing, visited the site in the Sants-Montjuïc district on Wednesday. He described the promotion as “social, ecological, flexible, and replicable.” Valls noted that the modular timber system allowed the structure to be raised in record time. According to him, ensuring the right to live in the city is a council priority. This requires both traditional building methods and new, industrialised solutions.
Innovation in timber construction and energy efficiency
The project is a collaborative effort involving the City Council’s Municipal Institute of Housing (IMHAB). IMHAB owns the land and covered 46% of construction costs, working alongside private and research entities. WikiHousing emerged as the winning initiative of the ‘Ciutat Proactiva 2021’ call by BIT Habitat. The team includes the architecture studio Straddle3, environmental consultancy Societat Orgànica, and the Barcelona Urban Research Institute (IDRA).
David Juárez, architect and promoter of WikiHousing, explained that using prefabricated modules reduces the overall construction period by 50%. Meanwhile, the design also addresses difficult urban spaces. Guim Costa, Dean of the College of Architects of Catalonia (COAC), praised the building for resolving a “complicated party wall” issue. Furthermore, he highlighted how it showcases the industrialisation of wood.
Beyond the structure, the building aims for high energy efficiency. It features a pergola of solar panels on the roof, supported by Holaluz. Carlota Pi, President of Holaluz, stated that the energy generated will cover the needs of the young residents. Any surplus will be shared with neighbouring buildings.
A sustainable model for European cities
During the visit, Deputy Mayor Valls remarked that the housing accessibility crisis is a challenge “major European cities will face in the next 15 years.” He emphasised the necessity of increasing housing production. Therefore, regulating the market through public-private collaboration is essential.
Once completed, the WikiHousing block will stand as a tangible example of how Barcelona blends sustainability with speed. This approach aims to keep the city accessible for its younger generation, furthering Barcelona’s broader public housing expansion strategy.
Join Barcelona English Speakers WhatsApp Community .
