The exhibition "Máquina Climática" selected for the 2025 FAD Awards 

The exhibition, which received over half a million visitors during its run at the Parc de la Ciutadella's Hivernacle in Barcelona, was recognized for its innovative approach to raising awareness about urban agriculture and climate change. 

Organized by the Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens of Barcelona, the exhibition remained open for 269 days, becoming a meeting point between science, art, and sustainability. The Sostenipra research group from ICTA-UAB played a key role in developing hydroponic cultivation systems, allowing visitors to observe, in real time, the growth of tomato and broad bean plants in a controlled urban environment. 

The exhibition offered a three-part experience that fused scientific knowledge with artistic expression. It included an audiovisual piece explaining the greenhouse effect, complemented by an art installation illustrating behavioral changes brought about by climate change, aiming to inspire environmental action. 

Additionally, the exhibition highlighted how greenhouses have become a viable solution adopted by various cities around the world to promote sustainable food systems. Through both global and local case studies, it demonstrated how greenhouse food production enables local cultivation without the need for large-scale infrastructure or the carbon footprint associated with transportation, while significantly reducing water consumption. 

The recognition in the 67th edition of the FAD Awards underscores the value of the urban agriculture laboratory model developed at ICTA-UAB. “It has undoubtedly been the most visited urban agriculture exhibition in the world, surpassing half a million visits in 269 days”, stated Xavier Gabarrell, head of the Sostenipra group at UAB and vice-rector of Campus and Sustainability at the university. 

The exhibition also featured contributions from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), responsible for designing a futuristic model, and from the ICTA-UAB spin-off company Tectum Garden, which handled the technical maintenance of the crops. 

The exhibition was inaugurated on June 7 in the Sala Picasso and closed on March 2. Its inclusion in the FAD Awards solidifies its role as an international benchmark in connecting scientific innovation, art, and urban sustainability.