The world economic crisis has forced a revision of recent architecture. The perception of the role of the architect in society has changed in as much as the questioning of certain architectural responses addresses the pertinence of certain social, political or market demands. Some of b720’s most successful projects are very revealing examples of the practice struggle to maintain a critical assessment of the programmatic demand from mainly public clients, perform professionally and commit to the search of meaningful and better contemporary spaces for life. Fermin Vazquez will explain the design process and result of a few recently built projects an will focus on the Encants Market in Barcelona which can be considered a new urban typology in city that keeps debating about public space.

Spain’s Fermín Vázquez is the head of an international architecture practice founded in 1997. The firm operates globally from Brazil and Spain, and its award-winning projects span a dozen different countries.

b720 produces work that is resolutely contemporary and infused with a focus on natural resources. Its Mercat Encats in Barcelona has been lauded across the globe for its visionary rethinking of the modern commercial center model. The firm recently won the competition for the Spanish Pavilion at the Expo Milan. Its work has been exhibited in New York’s Museum of Modern Art and featured at the Venice Biennial, and it has won awards including a RIBA award, the World Architecture Festival Award, four ASPRIMA-SIMA awards, and more.

Vázquez combines his professional practice with teaching and writing, and he has lectured at elite institutions, conferences, and universities around the world. He graduated from the Madrid School of Architecture and the Barcelona School of Architecture.

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