The team of six first-year Architecture students from the ETSAB of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC)—comprising Ingrid Bassas, Neo Dufraisse, Zhenjie Lin, Roger Llobera, Neus Torras and Rita Asunción—travelled to Shanghai from 1 to 7 June to design and build their project for the Tongji International Construction Festival. The project, Shellter: Homes that Grow with Us, was tutored by professor Albert Valero from the Department of Urbanism, Territory and Landscape.

This year’s competition invited participants to redefine the concept of a home, factoring in elements such as safety, environmental impact, construction processes and the integration of AI into daily life. Using corrugated cardboard and bamboo rods, each team had to build a small pavilion representing this concept.

The ETSAB team built a pavilion exploring the difference between a house and a home, viewing the latter as a space tied to memories, emotions and personal growth. Through organic shapes and a snail-like structure, the pavilion symbolises both the transition from childhood to adulthood and an intimate, emotional shelter that transcends physical evolution.

The festival brought together over 230 students and professors from Asia, Europe and the United States, who constructed a total of 33 pavilions.

Organised by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, the Tongji International Construction Festival aims to stimulate students’ creative and innovative talent in the field of design.