Cris Ballester Parets
Working with a wide range of collaborators, Ballester Parets oversaw the production of ambitious social housing in the Balearic Islands, with an emphasis on social and environmental sustainability.
Ballester Parets worked particularly closely with architect Carles Oliver, residents, many leading architectural practices, economists, politicians, manufacturers, local suppliers and policymakers. They developed an extraordinary model for building equitably, re-establishing local material supply chains and manufacturing, with fairer procurement and world-class climatically responsive architectural expression of social housing.
2024 Architecture Prize Jury
Meet Cris Ballester Parets
The 2024 RA Architecture Prize has been awarded to Cris Ballester Parets representing a remarkable, collective research and production of bioregional social housing on the Balearic Islands undertaken between 2019 – 2023.
Ballester Parets served as Housing and Architecture General Manager of the Govern de les Illes Balears. Between 2015 and 2019, she was Director of finance, budgets and projects at the Consell de Mallorca, while leading the creation of the Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Contracting offices. Until May 2022, she was the Managing director of the Balearic Institute of Housing (IBAVI).
During her time at IBAVI and as the General Manager of Housing and Architecture, Ballester Parets brought together some of the leading architects in Spain, with local craftspeople and industries to create sustainable social housing. The buildings prioritise communal space and remain flexible - reflecting the diverse groups that inhabit them.
Discover the RA Architecture Prize
The RA Architecture Prize is awarded to an architect or individual who has been instrumental in shaping the discussion, collection or production of architecture.