In the framework of Barcelona as the World Capital of Architecture and the celebration of the World Congress of Architects, on July 1st Figueras welcomed the Chinese delegation of the International Union of Architects (UIA).
The event combined the company’s production and engineering capacity in Lliçà d’Amunt with a tour through Catalan architectural heritage and the hosting of the first technical panel organized by F3 Nexus, the company’s Design & Innovation Hub, focused on urban transformation strategies.
A bridge between industry and international architecture
In 2026, Barcelona took center stage in global architecture after being named World Capital of Architecture. This designation puts the spotlight not only on conceptual creativity, but also on how to put it into practice.
In this context, the role of industry is to act as a technical partner capable of translating complex visions into executable realities. With this approach, Figueras hosted a prominent delegation of Chinese architects and engineers from the UIA for a session designed to exchange knowledge on collective space design, sustainability, and the evolution of cities.
The objective of the meeting was to showcase the full lifecycle of a project: from materials research and on-site prototype development to its integration into buildings with demanding acoustic and regulatory requirements.
From the industrial plant in Lliçà d’Amunt to architectural heritage
The visit began at Figueras’ headquarters in Lliçà d’Amunt. During the tour of the production areas, the showroom, and the auditorium, the delegation gained first-hand insight into the precision engineering processes, performance testing, and custom developments required by the sector. The plant tour allowed for the analysis of real engineering solutions: from adapting each model to complex geometries or strict evacuation codes, to designing systems that ensure accessibility and durability without compromising the aesthetic vision of the room.
Subsequently, the itinerary linked this industrial reality with applied architecture across two key settings of Catalan heritage. First, the Teatre Romea; a performing arts venue steeped in history and fully operational, where the delegation analyzed the complexity of integrating high-tech comfort and safety solutions into protected historical buildings without altering their original architectural value. Second, Casa Moratiel; designed by Josep Maria Sostres in the 1950s and a landmark of Catalan rationalism. This restored residence (currently the headquarters of the Batlleiroig-UPC Chair) served as the setting to reflect on the permanence of architectural values and adaptive reuse of heritage.
F3 Nexus hosts its first debate panel on urban transformation
Near Casa Moratiel, the first round table promoted by F3 Nexus, Figueras’ newly presented Design & Innovation Hub, took place. Conceived to research trends that will transform collective spaces and transfer that knowledge to the AEC sector, the Hub selected architectural strategies for urban transformation as its opening topic.
Moderated by Professor CHU Dongzhu (Chongqing University) and architect Félix Arranz, with the participation of architects Josep Miàs (Mias Arquitectes) and Enric Batlle (batlleiroig) alongside representatives from urban design institutes in China, the panel addressed four critical axes for cities in transition:
- Urban regeneration: the reconfiguration of the existing fabric through adaptive reuse of buildings and the revitalization of public space.
- Climate adaptation: passive architecture solutions, heat island mitigation, and resilient infrastructure.
- Heritage and identity: the balance between preserving cultural memory and introducing contemporary architecture.
- Technological innovation: the impact of digital design, artificial intelligence applied to urban planning, and advanced materials.
This meeting served to contrast perspectives between European practice and large-scale transformation dynamics in Asia, demonstrating that the challenges of sustainability and urban density require cross-cutting partnerships between designers and industry.
About Figueras
Figueras is a company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of fixed and mobile seating systems for collective use. With nearly 100 years of history, a presence in over 80 countries, and projects in the world’s most renowned cultural spaces, it combines precision engineering and aesthetic criteria to deliver solutions that enhance end-user experience and the long-term technical viability of venues. Its involvement in projects with high formal and regulatory complexity positions it as a strategic ally in heritage preservation and contemporary architectural development.
