About Sotabosc
We design systems that strengthen communities by applying nature's patterns to urban innovation. Based in Barcelona, we work at the intersection of cultural research, community design, and regenerative technology.
Our philosophy
Cities are living ecosystems where culture, community, and technology interact in complex symbiotic relationships. Our role is to understand these relationships deeply and design interventions that strengthen rather than disrupt the natural flows of connection and creativity.
We believe the best technology is almost invisible — it amplifies what already works while gently addressing what doesn't. Our projects start with extensive cultural research and community listening, ensuring that any solution we develop emerges from and serves the needs of the people who will use it.
Our approach
Cultural research
Every project begins with deep ethnographic research to understand the cultural ecosystem we're working within. We map relationships, identify patterns, and uncover the informal networks that make communities resilient.
Community co-design
We design with communities, not for them. Our process involves extensive collaboration with stakeholders to ensure solutions reflect real needs and cultural values.
Symbiotic systems
We create platforms that grow stronger through community participation, following biological principles of mutual benefit and regenerative growth.
Why Barcelona?
Barcelona provides the perfect laboratory for our work. The city's rich cultural heritage, strong neighborhood identities, and innovative approach to urban planning create ideal conditions for studying and designing community-centered systems.
Our Barcelona Living Directory project serves as both a practical tool for the city and a research platform for understanding how cultural communities form, connect, and sustain themselves in urban environments.
Working with us
We take on a limited number of projects each year to ensure we can give each one the attention and care it deserves. We're particularly interested in working with organizations that share our values of community empowerment, cultural preservation, and regenerative design.
Whether you're a municipality looking to strengthen neighborhood connections, a cultural organization seeking to document and share local knowledge, or a community group needing a platform that reflects your values — we'd love to explore how we might collaborate.