Miquel Lacasta

Professor
Chair, Department of Architecture & Interior Design.

Ph.D. Architecture, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain

M.Arch. Biodigital Architecture, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain

Architect, ETSAB–UPC, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain

Dr. Miquel Lacasta Codorniu is Professor of Architecture and Urban Design and Chair of the Department of Architecture and Interior Design at the Lebanese American University. He is an architect, urban designer, educator, researcher, and co-founder of Archikubik, a Barcelona-based practice active in architecture, urbanism, and regenerative design.

Before joining LAU, he taught for more than twenty-five years at the School of Architecture of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, where he led design studios and advanced architectural design. For over twelve years, he coordinated the Final Degree Project, developing a pedagogical model based on territorial research, trans-scalar thinking, juries, exhibitions, publications, and collaborations with municipalities and museums.

His teaching experience also includes Interior Design at LAI School, postgraduate teaching at ETSAB–UPC, Elisava, and La Salle, and workshops in Europe and Latin America. His academic work has been recognized with the Research Award at the 13th Spanish Architecture and Urbanism Biennial and the Special Doctoral Thesis Award from UIC Barcelona.

Alongside his academic career, Dr. Lacasta has led more than 120 international architectural projects. His work has received the Spanish Urban Planning Award, the German Design Award, the FAD International Award, Réinventer Paris, and Quartiers Fertiles. His research, Urban Biophilia & Low-Cortisol Cities, links climate adaptation, public health, mental wellbeing, water systems, and health-positive urban environments.

Research Interests

Dr. Lacasta’s research interests include climate-adaptive urban morphology, health-positive public space, urban biophilia, low-cortisol cities, regenerative water-sensitive urban design, Mediterranean urbanism, circular construction, architectural pedagogy, trans-scalar design methodologies, and the relationship between architecture, urban environments, and mental health.

His work also addresses design education, public-facing pedagogy, the role of exhibitions and publications in architectural learning, and the capacity of architecture and interior design to respond to contemporary urban emergencies.

Some of his research and professional work can be found through:

Portfolio: https://miquel-lacasta.me/en

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1ZyosbgAAAAJ&hl=en

Axonométrica: https://www.axonometrica.blog

Select Publications

Global Systematic Review of Biophilic Urban Methodologies: Gaps, Convergences, and Climate Risk Assessment Frameworks. In Designing for a Changing Climate: A Science-Based Path to Practical Actions. Springer, forthcoming 2026.

Evolutionary Framework for Biophilic Methodologies: From Fragmented Approaches to Integrated Climate-Responsive Design Systems. In Designing for a Changing Climate: A Science-Based Path to Practical Actions. Springer, forthcoming 2026.

Paseos por el Voladizo. Madrid: Ediciones Asimétricas, 2020.

El paisaje de lo cercano. Barcelona: Editorial Planeta, 2013.

El desafío de los límites. Barcelona: Editorial Planeta, 2013.

Extended Limits. Barcelona: UIC Barcelona School of Architecture / Bisman Ediciones, 2023.

Entropic Landscapes. Barcelona: Bisman Ediciones / QUT Ediciones, 2022.

L’H: HUB of HUBS. Social Challenges and Urban Reprogramming. Barcelona: Bisman Ediciones, 2021.

Hybrid Urbanism: Designing Complex Territories as Social Condensers. Barcelona: QUT Ediciones, 2020.

Full Contact. Barcelona–Llobregat City. Barcelona: UIC Barcelona School of Architecture, 2017.

R_Urban Hubs: Questioning the Boundaries of 21st-Century Barcelona. Seville: Vibok, 2016.

Cutting-Edge Landscapes. Seville: Vibok, 2015.

Interactive Geographies. Productive Landscapes in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. Seville: Vibok, 2014.

Diagonal Verda BCN. Seville: Vibok, 2013.

Professional Work & Exhibitions

Prizes and recognitions

2021, Spanish Urban Planning Award for Gagarine–Truillot Agro-City, Ivry-sur-Seine, France.

2021, Winner of Réinventer Paris 3 for Scène des Loges, Paris, France.

2021, Quartiers Fertiles Award, ANRU, for Gagarine–Truillot Agro-City, Ivry-sur-Seine, France.

2018, German Design Award for Saint-Roch Reversible Car Park, Montpellier, France.

2018, Director of FOROS: Plural Innovations, UIC Barcelona School of Architecture.

2017, Selected for the FAD Awards in the City and Landscape category for Dipòsit del Rei Martí, Barcelona.

2017, Nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award for Saint-Roch Reversible Car Park, Montpellier.

2016, Research Award at the 13th Spanish Architecture and Urbanism Biennial.

2016, Exhibited in the Spanish Pavilion, Venice Architecture Biennale, for Dipòsit del Rei Martí.

2016, Exhibited in the Catalan Pavilion, Venice Architecture Biennale, for Saint-Roch Reversible Car Park.

2015, FAD International Award for 253 dwellings in Ivry-sur-Seine, France.

2014, Futurs Possibles Award for ZAC Rouget-de-Lisle, Vitry-sur-Seine, France.

2012, Selected for the FAD Awards in Ephemeral Architecture for Diagonal Verda DHUB, Barcelona.

2010, A+ Award for Educational Buildings for Súnion School, Barcelona.

2001, Selected for the FAD Awards in Interior Design for Flex-House, Barcelona.