Molins Talks: three conversations on the future of our cities

• What do we want our cities to look like? How can we transform them while keeping what makes them special? And what role can architecture, design and construction play?

As part of our collaboration with Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026, we are hosting Molins Talks: present and future of architecture, a series of three conversations exploring some of the challenges shaping our cities.

Each session looks at a different part of the urban transformation process: how we design the spaces we share, how we build while making better use of resources, and how we adapt existing spaces and buildings to new needs. Together, they offer a broader perspective on the role of construction in shaping the urban environment.

Designing the public space of tomorrow: The BARCODE Collection with MVRDV

Public space is changing. New ways of moving, interacting and using our cities are creating new needs for squares, streets and other shared spaces. On 30 September at 6:30pm, at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona, we will open the Molins Talks series with the presentation of The BARCODE Collection, developed by MVRDV and Escofet, our urban landscape business.

Using the collection as a starting point, we will explore how design can respond to these changes and what can happen when architecture and industry work together from the outset of a project.

Jacob van Rijs, architect and co-founder of MVRDV; Daniel Milà, CEO of Escofet; and Oriol Roig, Industrial & Landscape Designer, will discuss the creative process behind The BARCODE Collection and the role design can play in shaping the future of urban space.

Building a circular future: the new Spotify Camp Nou

On 7 October at 6:30pm, also at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, the second session will focus on the circular economy in construction, looking at a major project: the new Spotify Camp Nou.

More than 100,000 tonnes of waste from the demolition of the former stadium have been recovered and reused in the new project. The project offers a real-life example of what circularity can look like at this scale, as well as the lessons that can be applied to other construction projects.

Jordi Portabella, Director of Sustainability at FC Barcelona; Lluís Moya, Director of the Espai Barça Technical Office; and Pilar López, Director of Circular Economy at Molins, will discuss the project and how circular approaches can help make better use of resources. The conversation will be moderated by Adela Martínez, Corporate Affairs & External Communications Director at Molins.

Growing without expanding: urban rehabilitation

The third session will take place on 10 November at 6:00pm at Casa de l’Arquitectura, the former Gustavo Gili headquarters. It will focus on urban rehabilitation and a key challenge for Barcelona: how to adapt an established city to new needs without continuing to expand outwards.

The existing building stock offers significant opportunities to improve efficiency, accessibility and quality of life. But working with what is already there also means balancing housing needs with heritage, sustainability and economic viability.

We will discuss these issues with Maria Buhigas, Chief Architect of Barcelona City Council; Josep Antoni Martínez Zaplana, President of the Gremi de Constructors; and Enric Heredia, President of ACE – Associació de Consultors d’Estructures. The session will be moderated by Célia Pérez, Executive VP Construction Solutions at Molins.

Registration is available through the Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026 programme:
https://www.barcelona.cat/capitalmundialarquitectura/en/programme