Talking architecture with Marc Arnal
Architecture not only adapts to technological and social transformations, but also broadens its horizons to respond to new needs.
Today we talk to architect and professor at the La Salle Campus Barcelona School of Architecture, Marc Arnal, exploring how contemporary architecture is redefining itself to be at the service of people, offering a balance between tradition and innovation.
In his career spanning more than 25 years, Arnal has worked on landmark projects alongside the likes of Robert Terradas and Anna Llimona, ranging from large buildings such as Barcelona's Cosmocaixa to urban details such as the “panot” on the diagonal. His career exemplifies the adaptability of architecture, which has gone from monumentality to integration into the everyday fabric of the city.
Adapting to a new context: architecture for people
Architecture is one of the oldest professions and adapts to the needs, historical context and techniques of the moment, always at the service of people. In this context, the architect is no longer limited to the design of buildings, but is exploring new areas such as urban planning, resource management and applied digital technology.
Technology is altering traditional forms of design and construction, introducing concepts such as intelligent spaces, automation and artificial intelligence in urban environments.
"Technology are tools at the architect's service to improve our lifestyle” Marc Arnal
With digitalization, architects now have tools such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), which enables more accurate and collaborative planning, and augmented reality, which facilitates better visualization of projects. These technologies not only optimize processes, but also contribute to designing more sustainable and efficient cities, in line with the trend towards smart and resilient cities.
New urban demands: humanization and accessibility
The design of today's cities is oriented towards sustainability and accessibility. Arnal predicts that, over the next ten years, the humanization of our cities and access to housing, especially for young people, will set urban planning trends. The pandemic, meanwhile, accelerated the transformation of work and domestic spaces, making the need for more flexible housing and offices evident.
Although some real estate developers are still reluctant to change, architects are betting on adaptable housing designs that respond to the changes of their inhabitants. Thus, flexibility and the ability to transform spaces will be key in the design of the homes of the future.
The new role of the architect: thinker and team coordinator
In this context of complexity, the role of the architect has expanded, positioning himself not only as a designer, but also as a thinker and coordinator.
“The architect is also an intellectual, a thinker and at the same time an orchestra conductor who coordinates different multidisciplinary teams,” Marc Arnal
The professional and academic challenge of the modern architect lies in reconciling globalization with local particularity, a question that Arnal sums up with Dali's phrase: “to be universal one must be ultralocal.” This balance allows architects to respond to global demands without losing sight of the identity of the spaces they design, an increasingly valued aspect in a multicultural world.
Architectural education: skills for the future
To prepare new generations, architecture schools face the challenge of training architects capable of responding to these multifaceted challenges. “Self-criticism, teamwork, complex problem solving, digital skills, multiple thinking, solidarity and companionship” are, for Arnal, essential competencies in the training of future architects.
La Salle's School of Architecture not only fosters these skills, but integrates them into its daily approach, preparing students for a constantly changing professional environment. Arnal further emphasizes that students should understand that architecture is “a way of living and understanding life,” and recommends that they draw from diverse cultural experiences, from film to art and literature, as an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Modern architecture is redefined as an integral discipline, where technology, sustainability and humanization converge in the design of spaces that respond to contemporary rhythms of life. Far from being a static activity, architecture projects itself into the future, offering architects a fundamental role in the construction of more humane and resilient cities, where technological innovation and respect for local identity are essential.
TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF ARQUITECTURE | LA SALLE-URL