Una arquitectura de generosidad y dignidad: hacia espacios localmente específicos y socialmente incluyentes

By considering only projects that have been realized and used for some years, and by discussing public and collective spaces, the Rogelio Salmona Prize offers something of great importance for the architectural discourse in Europe: that is to learn that architecture should occupy itself with experience and use, with making meaningful place, and that ultimately, it has to do with generosity and dignity.

It is this approach of generosity and dignity in architecture that I would like to highlight in this contribution. One of the most important questions, when dealing with the theme of collective and open spaces, is how space can offer inclusive, qualitative spaces for different inhabitants of the city. How can people appropriate the buildings and urban spaces, make them their own, develop a sense of ownership and care of their environment? How can these spaces be locally specific, giving meaning to the city and its citizens, and how can space even play a role in integration?