Self-Built Housing: The Role of Architects

With the recent release of the film El 47, which highlights the importance and transformative power of neighborhood movements, we focus on self-built housing in peripheral neighborhoods and the role of architects in relation to this phenomenon.

To discuss this, we are joined by Kathrin Golda-Pongratz, architect and co-editor of the book John F C Turner. Self-Built Housing: For the Autonomy of Living (co-edited with J.L. Oyón and V. Zimmermann, Pepitas de Calabaza, 2018), which was awarded the FAD Prize in the Theory and Criticism section in 2019, and curator of the archive of English architect John F.C. Turner—housed at the COAC—who is known for his dedication to the study and practice of self-built housing; Xavier Valls, co-producer of the documentary Perifèria, which promotes the Popular Plan of Santa Coloma de Gramenet from the 1970s and the work of architect Xavier Valls together with María José Olivé in advancing it; Marta Bazaco, art director of El 47; and Sandra Bestraten, architect and president of the Barcelona chapter of the COAC.