La Borda
Cooperative Living in Barcelona, Spain
The 28-unit La Borda defines itself as the first housing cooperative using the “cession of use” model in Barcelona, Spain. Built on public land with a 75-year leasehold, the nonprofit cooperative owns the building and cedes the right to use of the dwelling to its members, grouped into units of cohabitation, and acquired by paying an entry fee and maintained with an affordable monthly fee. The entry fee is returned if the tenant leaves the cooperative. The involvement of different actors (including architects) became an opportunity to rethink the production of social housing as a bottom-up experience. Construction was financed with future residents making 20% deposits/down payments, which are returned to residents when they leave.
Built
Barcelona, Spain
2018
2018
Built
Site Built
Site Built

Overview
![]() 28 units |
![]() 58 bedrooms |
![]() 7 stories Midrise |
![]() 6,749 SF Footprint |
![]() 33,000 Total SF |
![]() 569 SF/Occupant |
Proposal Origins
Designed Barcelona, Spain |
Produced Barcelona, Spain |
Located Barcelona, Spain |
Construction Type | Site Built |
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Inspiration | The Uruguayan Federation of Mutual Aid Housing Cooperatives (FUCVAM) is a membership organization established in 1970 that brings together housing cooperatives that espouse the core principles of mutual aid and collective property ownership. |
Total Unit Materials | |
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Additional Costs | |
Total | $2,971,000 |
$ / Unit | $106k / unit |
$ / Bedroom | $51,223 |
Quoted by:
La Col
La Col
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