MANIFESTO

1. Theoretical Foundation

In a world of rapid change, architecture stands as a vital force in shaping the future. As we face the challenges of climate change, social fragmentation, and technological advancement, our designs must evolve to reflect the dynamic interplay between humans, nature, and the built environment. In the Mediterranean, where communities have lived for centuries in harmony with the land and sea, we must draw upon this legacy while embracing the demands of the future.

Our approach transcends traditional notions of architecture. It seeks to reimagine living spaces that foster connection—between people, with nature, and across generations. It is architecture that responds not only to environmental conditions but also to the social and cultural needs of the communities it serves.

2. Communities and Urban Planning

Communities as Living Networks
In our vision, communities are more than just groups of people living in proximity. They are dynamic networks of interaction, exchange, and shared responsibility. The future of architecture must focus on creating spaces where social classes, generations, and individuals from diverse backgrounds can coexist and collaborate.

Buildings and urban spaces should encourage these connections, providing areas for people of all ages to come together and engage. Whether through communal gardens, shared courtyards, or public spaces designed for social interaction, architecture has the power to create environments where relationships thrive.

Generational Harmony
The social fabric of our communities must be woven with the wisdom of the past and the energy of the future. By designing spaces where young and old can work, learn, and live together, we foster a deeper understanding between generations. In this shared space, youth benefit from the experience and guidance of older generations, while older individuals are energized by the innovation and vitality of the young.

This intergenerational connection is vital for building resilient communities that can adapt to the challenges ahead.

Mixing Social Classes
Architecture has the unique ability to break down social barriers. By designing mixed-income housing that encourages interaction between different social classes, we can create more equitable, diverse, and supportive communities. These spaces must be inclusive, offering equal opportunities for all to access high-quality housing, green spaces, and community resources.

By integrating a diversity of people within the same spaces, we foster understanding, empathy, and a sense of shared responsibility for the collective well-being.

3. Nature, Green Spaces, and the Built Environment

Architecture as a Living System
In the Mediterranean, nature is not a backdrop; it is an active partner in our designs. Our buildings must reflect this partnership, integrating greenery into every aspect of the urban landscape. Green facades, vertical gardens, and roof terraces are not just aesthetic elements—they are essential for improving air quality, mitigating heat, and providing residents with daily access to nature.

Public spaces should not only serve as places for social interaction but also as green havens for wildlife. The careful inclusion of vegetation in urban planning—along roads, parks, and along building facades—invites the natural world back into the heart of the city, creating environments where people and animals can coexist and thrive.

Green Infrastructure for Climate Resilience
As we face increasing temperatures and more extreme weather events, the role of vegetation in mitigating heat and enhancing thermal comfort is paramount. Urban planning must prioritize green infrastructure, such as tree-lined streets, permeable surfaces, and water features that help cool the environment, manage stormwater, and provide a refuge from urban heat islands.

This green infrastructure is as much about human well-being as it is about environmental health. It ensures that our cities are not just resilient to climate change but also become places of beauty and respite.

4. The Single-Family Unit: A Model for the Future

Blurring the Boundaries Between Inside and Outside
In the Mediterranean, where the outdoors is an extension of the home, the concept of indoor-outdoor living is central to our design philosophy. Single-family homes must embrace the landscape, blurring the lines between the interior and the surrounding environment. Large sliding glass doors, open-air courtyards, and seamless transitions from the living room to the garden create a harmonious flow of space. The house becomes a living organism that breathes with the land and adapts to the rhythms of nature.

Responding to Climate and Temperature
The Mediterranean sun is both a gift and a challenge. Our designs must harness its warmth while providing shade and comfort. By carefully considering the orientation of each building, we can ensure that sunlight enters during the winter months while shading the interiors during the summer heat. Overhangs, pergolas, and retractable awnings protect the interior from harsh midday sun, while courtyards and gardens provide cool spaces for respite.

Buildings are designed with thermal mass in mind, using materials that naturally regulate temperature, minimizing the need for artificial heating and cooling. The use of natural stone, terracotta, and wood ensures that the home remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Light, Shadow, and Water
The play of light and shadow throughout the day brings life to the building’s facades and interiors. Strategic window placements allow for natural light to penetrate deep into the space, while overhangs and louvers control the intensity of the sun. This relationship between light and shadow creates a dynamic, ever-changing environment within the home.

Water is another key element—whether in the form of an outdoor pool, a fountain, or simply a reflective surface, water creates a sense of calm and tranquility. It moderates temperature and provides a visual connection to nature, enhancing the feeling of being immersed in the landscape.

Future-Proofing through Design
These single-family homes are not just a response to today’s needs; they are designed with the future in mind. By integrating adaptable spaces, such as modular walls and multifunctional rooms, the home can evolve as family dynamics change over time. The flexibility to accommodate new generations, technologies, and ways of living ensures that the home remains relevant for decades to come.

Through thoughtful design, these homes offer a way forward—where nature and human life are intertwined, where the climate is respected, and where the architecture serves the needs of people, both today and tomorrow.

5. Poetic Conclusion

As the Mediterranean sun sets behind the hills, casting its golden light over the land, we see not just buildings, but living spaces—homes, communities, and landscapes that breathe in harmony with nature. The future of architecture is not about imposing our will on the environment, but about listening to it, responding to it, and growing with it.

Here, in this land of wind and sea, stone and light, we build with a deep respect for the earth beneath our feet. In every home, in every community, we create spaces where people connect—across ages, across backgrounds, across generations. These are places where the future is not just imagined, but lived.

In the end, architecture is not just about the walls we build. It’s about the world we create together.