“Places influence how we live, move and feel.”

That's why HARCHITECTURE brings together architecture, psychology, health, urbanism and data in an international conversation about more habitable cities.

The first edition will open first for those on the priority list.
Places will be limited.

Invited voices to change the conversation

We won't just talk about buildings...

HARCHITECTURE will bring together international voices capable of connecting architecture, well-being, city, neuroscience, data and everyday life. A manifesto: Happiness First.

Tal Ben-Shahar

Happiness Studies Academy

One of the most influential international voices in the study of applied happiness

Ana Mombiedro

Architect and specialist in neuroarchitecture.

Explore how spaces affect the body, perception and human experience.

Dan Burden

Walkability / Blue Zones

International reference in walkable streets, healthy communities and urban design for everyday life.

Luis Gallardo

Iñaki Alonso

Regenerative architecture / sustainability

A practical look at how to build from health, impact and territorial responsibility

World Happiness Foundation

Global promoter of initiatives on happiness, well-being and social transformation.

Note: Information on speakers, program and activities might be subject to change

More speakers soon.

“Your city doesn't ask you how you are, but it influences the answer.”

HARCHITECTURE was born to explore how architecture, data and everyday life can help us design places that not only work, but make you live better.

La primera edición abrirá primero para quienes estén en la lista prioritaria.
Las plazas serán limitadas.

THE MISSING QUESTION

We know how to measure square meters.

We know how to measure efficiency.

We know how to measure if a building complies.

But we still talk little about the essentials:

What does that place do with the life of those who live there?

HARCHITECTURE was born to put that question in the center.

We don't just design spaces. We design living conditions.

The first edition will open first for those on the priority list.
Places will be limited.

Structure of the Summit

Four blocks.

Four uncomfortable questions.

What would happen if architecture and the city put human happiness first?

BLOCK 2

MEASURE

Can the happiness of a city be measured?

A city can have good data and a difficult daily life.

It can rise in the rankings and continue to expel those who live there.
It can be efficient, sustainable and, even so, exhausting.

Here we will talk about indicators, perception, urban health, community, data and metrics that serve to decide better. Not to make up reports.

BLOCK 3

Design

What spaces make it easier to live well?

Not everything beautiful takes care.
Not everything sustainable feels habitable, how is this paradox saved?
This block lands the evidence in architecture, neuroarchitecture, public space, housing, landscape, tourism and real cases.

Which places help us live better and which are damaging us without making noise?

BLOCK 4

TO GOVERN

What if happiness was the first indicator of progress?

For decades we have governed with GDP, growth, consumption, traffic, employment, square meters and profitability.

All that counts.

But it can't be the only thing that counts.

Bhutan put on the table a question that is still uncomfortable:
What if the success of a country - or of a city - was not measured only by how much it produces, but by how its people live?

This block will talk about Gross National Happiness, public policies, financing, alliances, institutions, trust and urban pilots.

Because putting happiness first does not mean making cities naive, it means making more serious decisions about what really sustains a good life.

Happiness

What do we talk about when we talk about Happiness?

Before measuring or designing it, we must stop using the word as if we all understood the same thing.
Happiness, well-being, sense, health, belonging, calm, hope.
They are not the same. And confusing them is expensive.

BLOCK 1

The first edition will open first for those on the priority list.
Places will be limited.

faQ

What is HArchitecture?

HARCHITECTURE is the first international summit on architecture and happiness promoted from the Canary Islands.

It was born to explore a simple and huge question: how do the places we inhabit influence our health, our daily life, our community and our well-being.

Architecture, urbanism, psychology, neuroarchitecture, health, data, culture and public policies in a conversation that was already time to have.

When will it be?

The first edition is scheduled for March 2027.

The first places will be communicated first to those on the priority list.

Is the program already closed?

Not quite yet.

We are building a very careful first edition, organized around four movements:

Understand, measure, design and govern.

Understand what we mean by happiness.
Measure how a city influences people's lives.
Design spaces that help you live better.
And govern by putting human well-being first.

Where will it take place?

In Tenerife, Canary Islands

Who is it aimed at?

To architects, urban planners, decision-makers, public administrations, universities, health and welfare professionals, companies, foundations, students, media and people interested in designing better places to live.

It won't be a meeting just for architects.

It will be a conversation for those who believe that the city can take better care of people.

How can I participate?

You can join the priority list to:

• attend the summit;

• explore an alliance or sponsorship;

• propose a presentation, project or inspirational case;

• be part of the community as an ambassador.

The places will be communicated first to those on the list.

Can you sponsor or collaborate with HARCHITECTURE?

Yes.

We are open to alliances with institutions, brands, foundations and organizations aligned with the mission of HARCHITECTURE: to promote an architecture and cities oriented to human well-being.

Proposals for alliance and sponsorship will be evaluated to ensure consistency with the tone, mission and foundational community of the summit.

Who drives HArchitecture?

HARCHITECTURE is being driven by a community of professionals and organizations linked to architecture, happiness, health, city, culture and social transformation. Among its promoters are:

Mario Cortés, architect, author of 4.5 The Happiness Game, graduate in Happiness from the Happiness Studies Academy, and Chief Wellbeing Officer certified by the World Happiness Foundation.

Kim De Coster, sustainable connector, founder of Slow & Co and Slow Business Club.

Alba Gil, consultant and project coordinator, operational support, co-founder of BRUA · SALVIA · Isoropìa.

Silvia Rodríguez, economist and teacher at the Canary Islands Government's Department of Education.

The summit is weaving a network of collaborators, allies and national and international guests that will be announced as the participations are formalized.

The first edition will open first for those on the priority list.

A movement that has already begun

The home is the intimate setting where you spend most of your life, and today it can also be a laboratory of your well-being, a sensory refuge that accompanies you, embraces you, is a source of happiness.

The bodily sensations that we register through the body and that we label as "happiness" have to do with your experience in the world, with what you do in your day to day. Space conditions it, because it can facilitate or hinder the activities of daily life.

From Neuroarchitecture, studying the impact that certain parameters have on the nervous system, we are beginning to have results on how to design atmospheres that make us feel welcome. Bringing delight, calm, challenge, connection... HARCHITECTURE is presented to us as the starting point of happiness, and this initiative is the opportunity for it."

Dra. Ana Mombiedro

"I’m delighted to support HARCHITECTURE, the first international summit on architecture and happiness.

Evidence shows that wellbeing is an essential component of progress, and that the built environment significantly shapes health, behaviour, and quality of life. For that reason, it makes sense to complement traditional economic indicators with measures of wellbeing and Gross National Happiness (GNH), and to translate that conversation into design and public policy decisions.

I’m confident in Mario Cortés’ leadership and in the rigour behind this initiative.”

Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

"I enthusiastically support HARCHITECTURE, the first international summit on architecture and happiness.

If we want to move towards a society based on freedom, conscience and happiness for all, we need to bring well-being to the heart of our cities, our institutions and our public decisions.

HARCHITECTURE can be a first milestone to connect architecture, urbanism and happiness within a new global well-being agenda, capable of complementing GDP with Gross Domestic Happiness: a way of measuring progress by also putting quality of life, emotional health, community and human flourishing at the center.

From the World Happiness Foundation we celebrate this initiative and the purpose with which Mario Cortés and his team are building this movement."

Dr. Luis Miguel Gallardo

"Spain plays.

On the rooftop of Entrepatios, soccer becomes another meeting space.

The barbecue gets underway: dinner, neighbors, children, people watching the game and people who, perhaps, go up more for the community than for football.

And there architecture does its work in silence.

A common terrace turns a building into more than just stacked dwellings. It opens a place to meet, celebrate, talk and build bonds.

I find HARCHITECTURE valuable because it puts that conversation at the center: how architecture can help create well-being, belonging, and shared life.

I celebrate this initiative and Mario Cortés' drive to open this path."

Iñaki Alonso

A child crossing the street safely. A family buying water and fruit because the supermarket has made the healthy choice the easy choice. A neighbourhood where walking, meeting people, a feeling of belonging, and taking care of one’s health are built into daily life.

These are not small details.

They are the result of time-honored, traditional environments designed with human behavior in mind.

HARCHITECTURE opens an important conversation about how streets, plazas, the placement, scale, and appearance of buildings, and everyday places contribute to and induce healthier, happier, and more connected lives.

I’m glad to support this initiative.

Dan Burden

HARCHITECTURE has the support of the World Happiness Foundation, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Happiness Studies Academy and the Official Association of Achitects of Tenerife, here you can read a few endorsements:

Ecosystem of alliances planned

Public institutions

Cabildo de Tenerife · Government of the Canary Islands · City Council of Santa Cruz · Tourism of Tenerife · Promotur

Professional associations

Architects · Surveyors · Psychology · Medicine · Nursing · Engineering · Advocacy

Academy and knowledge

Universities · Schools of architecture · Research centers · International foundations

Company and sponsorship

Materials · Habitat · Mobility · Finance · Insurance · Technology · Culture

Media and dissemination

Specialized press · Regional media · Professional platforms

Priority access by invitation

HARCHITECTURE will bring together a first international community around architecture, city and happiness. Join the priority list to receive the first available places before anyone else or explore a strategic alliance

The first places will be communicated first to this list and will be subject to availability.

The partnership and sponsorship proposals will be evaluated to ensure consistency with the mission of HARCHITECTURE.

By submitting this form, you request to be part of the priority list of HARCHITECTURE and consent to us processing your email and the options marked to manage your request and contact you about the project.

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