GIA is recognised as a Reference Research Group by the Government of Aragón

In 2017, the Grupo de Investigación en Arquitectura (GIA), led by Belinda López-Mesa, gets recognition as a Reference Research Group by the Government of Aragón. The group brought together researchers whose collaboration had strengthened around projects such as EcoREGEN – Integrated Design Protocol for Social Housing Renovation and Urban Regeneration (BIA2013-44001-R), led by López-Mesa.

It was founded on the firm conviction that scientific research in architecture is essential and has a direct impact on the social and environmental context. Its creation sought to address the historically limited role of purely academic research within architectural practice in Spain, fostering technical development, professional capacity and improvements in citizens’ quality of life.

GIA was structured around three main research lines:

- Housing, City and Environment, led by Belinda López-Mesa;
- Study and Enhancement of Architectural Heritage, led by Luis Agustín Hernández;
- Architectural Theory and Culture, led by Lucía C. Pérez-Moreno.

The three lines brought together technical, environmental, heritage and cultural perspectives within a common framework for architectural research.