Santiago Cirugeda is a social architect, questioning the limits of legality and defining processes for social action to improve the city and tackle some of the problems facing its residents. He positions his practice at the crossroads of activism and art. Cirugeda was born in Seville and received his architecture degree from the International University of Catalonia (ESARQ) in Barcelona.

His book Recetas Urbanas develops provocative urban projects since 2003, ranging from the systematic occupation of public spaces using containers, to the construction of artificial replacements for facades, backyards, roofs and empty lots. Through these projects, Cirugeda aims to challenge the status quo and expand the limits of concepts such as recycling, ephemeral architecture, strategies of urban occupation and public participation. From 1996 to the present, Santiago Cirugeda has undertaken collaborative projects in Seville, Malaga, Granada, Madrid, LaCoruna and other cities. These collaborative efforts have led to the formation of Arquitecturas Colectiva, an international network that connects people in the field in order to share information, ideas and experiences.