Vilalta Architects

Vilalta is a Barcelona-based design studio operating in the fields of architecture, urbanism and
design.

Xavier Vilalta is the founder and director of the studio. He is a distinguished international architect
specialised in sustainability. His work combines innovative technology with local resources and
culture to create contemporary designs suitable for their environment.

Declaring that “we love nature and we care about people”, our design philosophy is to connect
the old and the new, co-opting and updating the best thinking of past traditions to create modern
buildings that are both deeply respectful of the past and searingly contemporary.

We have worked on more than 80 projects, including homes, schools, cultural institutions and
commercial buildings in 15 different countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and America.

A variety of institutions worldwide have recognised our innovation in the architectural field. Among
these awards there are the Young Architect of the Year at the LEAF Awards 2008, in 2009 and 2010,
the SAIE Selection at Energy Exhibition in Bologna, Italy. In 2013, we received an international
cooperation award from the Association of Architects of Catalonia and an Honorable Mention for the
Modern Atlanta Prize. In 2017 the Lideta Mercato was honoured by the UNESCO Prix Versailles as
the best shopping mall worldwide.

Recent projects include a 38.500 m2 mixed use development in Mahala, Egypt and a 180 ha
master plan in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Xavier Vilalta is a former associate professor at the Barcelona Tech-UPC School of Architecture,
where he taught design studies and mentored diploma projects. He is a regular keynote speaker at
events and conferences. Among others he has delivered talks at TED Global, Fundaçao Galouste
Gulbenkian in Portugal, Kazakhstan Commercial Real Estate Week, Brunei World Architecture
Day, Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, and South Africa Smart Build Conference.