Cohousing for young people with functional diversity — a barrier-free space that promotes overall well-being, a proactive and autonomous life within a community. An accessible space, open to the neighborhood, designed with principles of neuroarchitecture, health, and sustainability in mind.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
The origin of this project lies with young people with functional diversity. We are young individuals who often spend long periods in hospital environments, face loneliness, feel confined, and constantly battle numerous barriers that make our daily lives frustrating and exhausting. Hundreds of young people from different registered pathology groups, as well as healthcare professionals, were interviewed and surveyed to gain a deep understanding of their needs. The project incorporates principles of neuroarchitecture to design a multisensory space that fosters a sense of belonging and community, while promoting social and urban integration. Art is also used as a tool for health and emotional well-being. This project proves that there is an alternative model of residential living for these young people. Interior design has the power to care for individuals, influence their health, boost proactivity, support autonomy, and enhance emotional well-being — all while being mindful of the environment.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
This project is thoroughly developed across more than 500 pages. It covers everything from the branding and visual identity of the community to the construction details of accessible furniture. For example, the “camouflage beds” are hospital beds designed to look like contemporary sofas, allowing young people to socialise while staying in their anti-pain (antiálgica) position — one that does not increase their discomfort. Accessibility is approached at a micro scale, offering multiple possibilities to accommodate diverse bodies. It is subtle, inclusive, and embedded into the design without being intrusive.
The project is located in a former factory in Barcelona. The complex consists of several interconnected buildings, arranged around a multisensory garden at its centre. Materials used are of natural origin, in an earthy colour palette inspired by anthills. The entire project is developed following principles of sustainability and energy efficiency. It includes thermal and photovoltaic solar panels, aerothermal systems for climate control, and rainwater harvesting systems.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
This project stems from a deeply personal place of attentive listening. It has brought hope and excitement to many young people living in vulnerability and loneliness. Through meticulous work, I wanted to prove — down to the last detail — that a different residential model for young people like us is not only possible, but necessary. We are often forgotten, seen only through the lens of dependency and decline. But we have a voice. We are still young, even if we are ill, and we do not want to live in the existing residential spaces — because they were neither created by us nor for us. The lack of truly accessible housing is a serious issue in our society. It hinders our independence and perpetuates exclusion. Every spatial decision in this project is backed by deep research to ensure that it genuinely cares for the person — physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Nature and art are central sources of well-being in this space. It will also serve as a platform — a loudspeaker — and a space for cultural activities in the city, because we have a lot to say.
Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?
Yes — that’s the goal: to give visibility to the reality of many young people who often have no voice. La Fourmilière is a project that, when seen, moves young people with different conditions — they feel seen, and they dream of one day being able to live there. It was designed through the active listening of hundreds of young people, interviewed and surveyed in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, their homes, or residential facilities. We need to show that another way of living is possible — a space that truly cares for us, that responds to our needs, and supports our autonomy and well-being. As Alvar Aalto said, “When you design for the most vulnerable, you are designing for everyone.” The image of the anthill (La Fourmilière) captures this spirit beautifully: ants may seem fragile, but they are incredibly strong and masters of cooperation and teamwork. This cooperative housing model would allow us to share life, experiences — and also the costs of care — together.
