Archinect - Features 2024-05-04T01:50:17-04:00 https://archinect.com/features/article/150212500/b-arch-graduate-jose-lacruz-vela-modernizes-the-spanish-countryside B.Arch Graduate Jose Lacruz Vela​ Modernizes the Spanish Countryside Katherine Guimapang 2020-08-24T13:40:00-04:00 >2020-09-20T23:31:04-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/f8/f83e92c84651db965abf21e5861408b1.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/iearchitecture" target="_blank">IE School of Architecture and Design</a>&nbsp;B.Arch graduate Jose Lacruz Vela designs a new, enriched landscape that focuses on dismantling the idea of "rural picturesque" views and focuses on creating interactive and performative architectural landscapes that respond to their inhabitants. Unearthing issues facing the rural countryside of Spain, specifically in the town of Docenario in Extremadura, Spain Lacruz, Lacruz&nbsp;Vela uses his thesis project&nbsp;<em>Rural Alchemy&nbsp;</em>to "transform the landscape into holistic artificial natures, from hyper-productivity to third natures."&nbsp;</p> <p>Lacruz Vela shares, "The proposal aims to challenge depopulation, an issue affecting the Spanish countryside, by retaining and attracting talent through providing jobs of diverse educational levels, while generating a new local economic model." Archinect connected with the recent grad to dive into his thesis project and learn more about his experience entering the workforce after graduation. Lacruz Vela's project was awarded Best...</p>