This event marks the beginning of a new season focused on process—the interconnected, iterative nature of creative practice across architecture, design and making. As part of an ongoing national conversation, this event will explore the ethical use of stone and the economic, social, trade and cultural potential that a renewed interest in local stone could have in Scotland.
Carles Oliver Barceló is an architect from the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB) and stonemason master builder for professional necessity. A graduate of ETSAB, with studies at UCLA, TU Delft, and ETSAM. Since 2009, he is member of the Balearic Social Housing Institute (IBAVI), where he has led pioneering sustainable housing projects.
8 protected public dwellings on a rental basis. Palma, Spain, 2022. Photography by José Hevia
His award-winning work, including Life Reusing Posidonia in Formentera, explores climate-responsive design, material innovation, and ecological adaptation. With a portfolio spanning social housing, eco-neighbourhoods, and adaptive reuse, his projects have been widely published and exhibited, shaping the discourse on sustainable architecture.
Carles Oliver Barceló’s architecture is defined by a deep engagement with local stone, balancing environmental responsibility with cultural continuity. His work frequently features marés sandstone, a Mallorcan material that reduces transport emissions while connecting contemporary design to regional traditions. By showcasing its natural texture and thermal properties, Oliver creates buildings that are both climatically responsive and contextually rooted. Through precise detailing and innovative structural techniques, he reinterprets traditional craftsmanship in a modern language, producing spaces that feel both timeless and forward-looking.
Photography by José Hevia
Photography by José Hevia
One such project, 8 Protected Public Dwellings on a Rental Basis, is a collaborative social housing development in Palma, Spain. Designed by Miguel Nevado, Alfonso Reina, Antonio Martín, Carles Oliver, and Xim Moyá, with photography by José Hevia, it exemplifies contextual, inspiring and resource-conscious design.
Join us for an evening of insight and discussion at Custom Lane on 22 April 2025, from 6 to 9 pm. Doors open at 6 pm for a 6:30 pm start.
This event is generously supported by Hutton Stone, Historic Environment Scotland and the Stone Federation GB.
