Committee:
     PRESIDENT: MUÑOZ HERAS, OLVIDO
     SECRETARI: SIERRA GARRIGA, CARLOS
     VOCAL: VALERO UBIERNA, IGNACIO
Thesis abstract: The introduction of electric lighting in Architecture marked a profound transformation in its design conception, establishing artificial light as a fundamental element in the configuration of space. Unlike other artistic and architectural disciplines, artificial architectural lighting lacks a formalised Art History. Existing specialist literature remains largely focused on technical and quantitative aspects, frequently relegating the qualitative dimensions of light in space to a secondary status. Consequently, there is a notable absence of a specific vocabulary capable of accurately describing the qualitative effects of lighting in architecture. This lexical gap hampers the effective communication of lighting-related spatial concepts, ultimately to the detriment of architectural practice. In light of these challenges, and with the aim of improving both design and pedagogical methodologies, this research advocates for the establishment of a dedicated vocabulary for qualitative architectural lighting. It is predicated on the hypothesis that it is feasible to construct a consensual glossary that enables the precise articulation of the formal and spatial attributes of lighting effects within architectural environments. To substantiate this hypothesis, the research sets out two principal objectives: first, to identify the parameters that define the qualitative aspects of lighting and to compile the associated terminological corpus; second, to develop a lexical and visual dictionary in which each term is clearly defined and illustrated, thereby facilitating its comprehension and application in both academic and professional contexts, and contributing to the standardisation of a specific and practical language.The study adopts a qualitative methodological framework, centred on the linguistic analysis of texts describing architectural lighting projects, which have been published in specialised Spanish-language media. A rigorous, systematic, and replicable terminology methodology has been employed, drawing upon established principles from the field of Terminology studies and related research on lighting perception. The process integrates automated term extraction methods, enabling efficient handling of large data sets, and applies linguistic techniques adapted to the visual domain. The research identifies the principal parameters defining the formal qualities of architectural lighting as direction, colour, and distribution, followed by quantity, luminance, sources, informational content, perceptual effects, and others. Among these, the distribution parameter emerges as the most frequently cited and, thus, the most critical for both configuring and describing architectural lighting. Accordingly, the dictionary focuses on the most recurrent terms related to distribution, listed alphabetically as follows: accent lighting, ambient lighting, composed lighting, diffuse lighting, direct lighting, directed lighting, dispersed lighting, focalized lighting, general lighting, grazing lighting, homogeneous lighting, horizontal lighting, indirect lighting, integrated lighting, precise lighting, projected lighting, reflected lighting, uniform lighting, and vertical lighting. It has been demonstrated that each of these terms can be defined in a manner that supports clear, precise, and intelligible communication within architectural lighting discourse. Furthermore, it is feasible to identify corresponding visual representations that exemplify each definition, reinforcing their pedagogical and practical applicability. In conclusion, this research affirms the viability of developing a consensual glossary of terms to imporve the communication of the formal and spatial characteristics of lighting effects within architectural practice, which constitutes a foundational step toward the recognition and standardisation of qualitative lighting vocabulary in the discipline.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: MARTÍNEZ DURAN, ANNA
     SECRETARI: MARTI CASANOVAS, MIQUEL
     VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: RIVERA ROGEL, CARMEN ALICIA
Thesis abstract: The main purpose of this thesis is to develop an analysis protocol for consolidated urban areas using territorial indicators as the main part of the methodology. It examines contemporary urban architecture through numerical factors that relate to the transversal themes of the territories, in order to facilitate proposals for interventions in urban regeneration.Since the mid-20th century, urban settlements have experienced significant demographic growth due to increased migratory movements from rural areas to cities. This has led to territorial expansion, causing many areas to develop rapidly without specific urban planning regulations, resulting in serious structural deficiencies. One of these areas is the neighborhood of Ca n'Anglada, located in the municipality of Terrassa. It is a representative example of a consolidated urban area with strong interdisciplinary issues, and has been the subject of various public administration interventions without success. To understand the current issues, a preliminary analysis is presented that addresses interdisciplinary factors through the sociological, territorial and urban perspectives, tracing the development of the area from its origins to the present day, marked by a society and a territory that are strongly divided.Currently, urban regeneration operations in consolidated urban lands involve a great previous analysis work, which in many cases implies a great search for data that is found in various sources, which makes it difficult to get an idea of the globality of the problems of the territories. For this reason, subsequently through a systematic review of existing bibliographic references and their evaluation based on the content and background of each document, the main territorial indicators in urban planning are selected to analyze the neighborhood of Ca n'Anglada from a completely objective point of view. The bibliographic references deemed valid for developing the protocol also help define a set of optimal values and result ranges for each territorial indicator, determining the most favorable values for the territories in the analyzed aspects and categories. The study proposes processing this large volume of data from various sources to calculate each of the indicators using a database system with a structured language. This approach enables more efficient and straightforward management of the numerical values and allows for the subsequent representation of the results using geolocation software.This protocol is presented with clearly differentiated phases according to their temporal space, from an objective point of view. The first phase analyzes the current state of the neighborhood, presenting aspects reflected by the territorial indicators. The second phase assesses the results of the territorial indicators selected in the study of major urban planning operations in urban regeneration that have been carried out so far and may have significantly impacted the area. The final phase presents proposals for urban regeneration, considering both the pre-existing conditions and the current state. By applying the defined protocol, we obtain a precise image of the area’s problems and its opportunities for action to address themThus, with the development of this protocol for the analysis of consolidated urban areas, using the Ca n’Anglada neighborhood as an example, a set of analysis methodologies is created to automate current processes and enable greater agility in the workflows of technical drafters of urban planning modifications. This protocol facilities the phases of situational analysis and the development of urban planning, as well as monitoring the evolution of the actions.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: GRAUS ROVIRA, RAMON
     SECRETARI: COSTA GÓMEZ, TÀNIA
     VOCAL: URBANO LORENTE, JUDITH
Thesis abstract: Currently, the district of Gràcia is recognized as one of the most emblematic areas of the city of Barcelona. Its fame largely stems from the charm of its squares and narrow streets, as well as the allure of buildings that escaped the construction frenzy of the 1960s and 1970s. Additionally, Gràcia stands out for the unique idiosyncrasy of its inhabitants, known for their associative and revolutionary spirit.Nevertheless, the Vila’s notable industrial past is remarkably less known. During the second half of the 19th century, it was home to hundreds of factories that filled what was then an important independent municipality, making it the third-largest population center in Catalonia. This industrialization significantly influenced the shaping and formation of the Vila as we know it today, contributing to both the creation of its urban fabric and forging the revolutionary and associative character of its inhabitants, many of whom today have ancestors who worked in these factories.The main objective of this doctoral thesis is to document, analyze and transmit these factories to society through research and cataloguing. To this end, the research and study of the general, construction and urban data of the set of factory buildings built or already existing within the studied period delimited by two key events in the history of the Vila: the Revolt of the Quintas in April 1870 and the annexation to the city of Barcelona on April 20, 1897.The thesis includes an analysis of the urban space to determine the different models of urban insertion of the buildings, the study of the production processes to verify their influence on the conformation of the factory space and the definition of the building typologies adopted by the industries in order to find a specific model for the Vila de Gràcia within this time interval and assess its subsequent evolution and transformation.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: EICKER, URSULA
     SECRETARI: ROSET CALZADA, JAIME
     VOCAL: SHAHROUZ TEHRANI, IRAG
Thesis abstract: This dissertation presents a comprehensive study on the integration ofintegrating photovoltaic (PV) systems within urban environments, focusing on Barcelona as a case study. It explores innovative approaches to strivingachieving for nearly 100%higher renewable energy adoption by leveraging a PV-centric methodology enhanced through clustering strategies. The research emphasizes emphasises the interplay between architectural design, construction techniques, and urban planning to optimize optimise energy efficiency and utilizationutilisation, addressing critical environmental challenges such as CO2 emissions and air pollution.Through the integration of computer simulations, literature reviews, and empirical analyses, the study evaluates Barcelona’s solar potential and the impact of morphological indicators—such as density, building height, and orientation—on energy performance. The findings provide actionable insights for urban planners and architects, proposing advanced solar grid designs that minimize minimise reliance on fossil fuels while promoting sustainable urban development.A GIS-based framework integrates urban spatial data to assess solar potential and financial viability, incorporating parameters such as building density, height, and orientation A GIS-based framework is employed to assess the solar potential and financial viability of PV systems across five representative Barcelona neighbourhoods, incorporating a detailed analysis of a specific area within each neighbourhood. By modelling district-specific characteristics and optimizing optimising urban layouts, the study identifies key factors influencing energy efficiency, including urban form and energy capture/dissipation dynamics. A clustering strategy organizes organises PV arrays based on proximity and solar energy uniformity using algorithms like K-means and 3D proximity, striking a balance between energy production, cost, and environmental impact.Optimization Optimisation scenarios evaluate PV system parameters—such as module dimensions, tilt, orientation, and spacing—assuming multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) technology with 20% efficiency. Key constraints, including roof occupation limits, maximum ground coverage ratios, and shading reduction, are addressed to enhance energy yield, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The evolutionary algorithm within Grasshopper’s Galapagos component refines system designs by analysing metrics such as Levelizedised Cost of Energy (LCOE), energy yield, and CO2 emissions.The research introduces the concept of “solar neighbourhoods,” emphasizing emphasising the integration of reduced energy consumption and maximized maximised energy production through strategic urban design. Findings The findings highlight the critical role of neighbourhood geometry, orientation, and compactness in optimising PV panel placement and improving environmental performance. By reducing ground coverage ratios, enhancing energy production, and ensuring financial viability, these strategies contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable urban landscapes.This study bridges the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, offering a roadmap for urban planners and policymakers to integrate PV systems and renewable energy solutions into city development. Recommendations include optimizing optimising urban layouts, tailoring building geometries, and enhancing solar exposure to address energy and environmental challenges. By aligning financial, environmental, and operational considerations, the research provides a holistic framework for fostering sustainable urban development and resilience, charting a path toward greener, energy-efficient global cities.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: DOMÈNECH I GIRBAU, LLUIS
     SECRETARI: CORNADÓ BARDÓN, CÒSSIMA
     VOCAL: FREIXA SERRA, MIREIA DEL RIPOLL
     VOCAL: SALA GARCIA, TERESA MONTSERRAT
     VOCAL: VEGAS LOPEZ-MANZANARES, FERNANDO
Thesis abstract: Domènech i Montaner, a cultured architect and up-to-date with European developments, found in construction an ally to shape his architecture. In this, he did not stray too far from the dictates of Viollet-le-Duc: only a new architecture would emerge if new structural principles were used. However, Viollet’s suggestions sparked new research in Domènech, and the evolution of his architecture eventually diverged from some of these principles.At the beginning of his professional career, Domènech left the structural iron ostentatiously visible, in the best tradition of structural rationalism spreading across Europe. But for him, construction is not a neutral matter; it also has a political dimension, like the fight for the Catalan language or the defense of Catalan civil rights. Brick construction would be identified as the genuinely Catalan form of construction and would be mythologized by the Modern Catalan School. The use of the diaphragm arch, the cultivation of the thin brick wall, and the exaltation of the vault should also be interpreted from this perspective.Although the tile vault was a technique of medieval origin and was widespread across much of the Mediterranean basin, in Catalonia, from the mid-19th century, it began a great expansion, combined with metal rod ties, especially in industrial architecture. The models of English mills were imported but improved and adapted to the country’s construction tradition.Domènech’s early works combine the constructive knowledge of the country’s professional masonry and its "Catalan construction" with the introduction of iron as a structural element. However, the technique of tile vault, in jack archs, balconies and stairs, is used for very small spans: it helps to construct his architecture, but it does not configure it in any special way.But since the ambitious project of the Hospital de Sant Pau and la Santa Creu, the essential element of Domènech i Montaner’s architecture is the tile vault with iron ties. The vault defines all of his spaces (barrel, bohemian, ribbed, tracery, with pendentives, tiled, plastered...) and is tensioned on its extrados by very sophisticated iron structures, which are never visible. The vault is the unit of aggregation, the element of re-signification of representative spaces, and the most functional instrument for service spaces.Domènech is not alone on this path. Before him, some of his prestigious colleagues in the profession were also working with the constructive possibilities offered by the tile vault technique, like Guastavino, who was thriving in the United States, and Gaudí, who was experimenting with its geometric and structural expressiveness. Around the Barcelona School of Architecture, there was a collective awareness of the importance of this technique as a defining feature of Catalan architecture.Lluís Domènech, and the early stage of his son Pere Domènech’s work, were so convinced of the potential of this system that they applied it to all kinds of buildings: hospitals, rental housing, theaters, warehouses, and factories. They experimented with its possibilities in combination with iron, taking spans to the limits and optimizing the structural material to be used. It reached the point where they even moved the rod ties and hoops away from the most efficient placement height, in order to give the supporting role of the spatial prominence to arches, vaults, and domes.But when the time came to introduce reinforced concrete and steel as structural grids in architecture, Domènech did not have time to change strategy. For him, the cultivation of "Catalan construction," and all that it represented, was and remains his path of discovery.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: CAMPOS SANCHEZ, FRANCISCO SERGIO
     SECRETARI: AQUILUÉ JUNYENT, INÉS
     VOCAL: WEILI, YANG
Thesis abstract: This Ph.D. thesis, grounded in public value theory, explores the influence of spatial form, urban governance, and people's experience on the realization of public value in China's historic environment regeneration (HER) from 2000 to 2020. Addressing the dilemma of "destructive construction" versus "frozen preservation" currently faced by historic districts in China, this study emphasizes the crucial role of integrating public value into the HER process for promoting sustainable urban development. The thesis aims to provide a theoretical framework and practical guidance for public value-oriented urban renewal through an in-depth study of China's historic district regeneration practices. By employing multi-dimensional and multi-layered analysis, the research seeks to uncover the complex factors influencing historic district regeneration and offer viable solutions to promote social equity and cultural heritage preservation. The main objectives include: assessing the creation of public value through the realization of the "publicness" of spatial form; examining urban governance's role in balancing stakeholder interests while proposing sustainable, people-centered strategies for equitable regeneration; and developing a multi-dimensional framework integrating spatial form, urban governance, and people's experience to explore their impact on public value in China's historic environment regeneration. Employing methods such as case studies, questionnaire surveys, and structural equation modeling (SEM), this research analyzes the relationships among spatial form, urban governance, and people’s experience from the perspective of public perception, constructing a hexagon public value model. The findings offer a reference for urban managers and planners in balancing historic preservation, economic development, and public interests.

Committee:
     PRESIDENT: MARAT-MENDES, TERESA
     SECRETARI: ARELLANO RAMOS, BLANCA ESMARAGDA
     VOCAL: COLL PLA, SERGIO
Thesis abstract: Water has always played a crucial role in urban development, especially in areas with abundant supply. It enhances urban spaces, creating mem- orable environments for citizens. However, in Iran’s climate, the significance of water has often been overlooked in modern urban planning. Historically, water shaped the structure and meaning of Iranian cities, but today its importance is neither recognized in theory nor in practice. Rapid urbanization has led to a loss of water’s role in urban infrastructure. It is essential to reevaluate water’s role in contemporary Iranian cities, both physically and conceptually, using historical lessons as valuable insights. This research examines integrating blue-green infrastructure into Tehran’s urban gray infrastructure to tackle water management challenges such as scarcity, pollution, and inefficient resource management exacerbated by rapid urbanization. It emphasizes the historical significance of traditional systems like Qanats, proposing their revival alongside alternative sources like rainwater harvesting to boost urban resilience and sustainability. It analyzes existing surface water management and the furrow network, identifying systemic inefficiencies and their impacts on hydrological dynamics. By analyzing existing frameworks and identifying inefficiencies and employing expert questionnaires, the study provides evidence-based recommendations for urban planners and policymakers. By advocating for the integration of blue-green infrastructure with current urban systems, this research aims to improve water management practices in Tehran, fostering a balanced approach that enhances environmental sustainability and the overall quality of life for its residents. This comprehensive framework aims to create a resilient urban future, blending historical wisdom with modern solutions.