residential ‘vitápolis’ in spain tailored to the needs of senior citizens

welcoming design, timeless space

a welcoming design in a timeless space connects the 1,500-m2 community space of vitápolis, a residential complex by mariano vallejo and sara romero and whose services are tailored to the social and welfare needs of senior citizens. located at the heart of the residential neighborhood of santa maría de benquerencia in toledo, the combination of neutral colors and high-grade materials, such as beechwood and hand-crafted tiling, forms a bond with contemporary and cosmopolitan elements, such as ready-mixed concrete and exposed installations, to thread harmony, elegance, and comfort throughout the housing.

upon entering, the reception area comes to life through the prominence of its furniture that is custom-designed by romero & vallejo and lined with beechwood. it is set against a large background, also made of beechwood, that serves as a partition between the reception area and the main lounge. as a promise of promoting balance, health, and a profound relationship with nature, flowerpots, plant vases, and vegetation dot the interior and exterior spaces. the ground floor also accommodates the main lounge with its chimney, the cafeteria-cum-restaurant, the gym, and the physiotherapy, meeting, and infirmary rooms, all while enclosed by a glazing system that affords clear views of the outside areas and gardens.

images courtesy of romero & vallejo

privacy-focused spaces

going to the upper floors, residents can enjoy privacy in their own apartments designed to provide a pleasant, fully-accessible, well-lit, and multi-purpose living area, and in such a way that they can be adapted to the individual needs of every user. the benches and bay windows located in the access corridors to the housing units around the entire building make for ideal meeting points. on the fourth floor, a private lounge enclosed by large glazed panels affords stunning views of the city while the solarium located on the roof of the building includes an infinity pool from which users can enjoy the amazing views of toledo.

as the designers share, ‘there are two kinds of apartments: 1 bedroom with 60 m2 and 2 bedrooms with 80 m2. as they are arranged according to an open-plan concept (no hallways), all areas are fully accessible. they include the living/dining room, the bedroom, the bathroom, and a terrace with underfloor heating. the terrace area extends the living area and serves as a transition point with the exterior. the enclosure between these spaces, representing a window and a sliding partition from floor to roof, involves a carpentry system fully integrated into the floor’s surface (custom-designed for this project) in order to make it easier to pass from one area to the other. the housing unit can be adapted to meet the individual needs of users and include either one or two spaces.’

lounge area

integrating the residents into the neighborhood

from the onset, the location seemed to be a challenge to conquer for the team. their eyes landed on integrating the residents, to the extent possible, within the locality and the urban setting, with a view to maximizing their day-to-day independence and, in the process, presenting opportunities for interaction and keeping active, beyond the confines of the center itself. fortunately, the location is surrounded by green areas and a number of amenities including the health center, the municipal library, and the civic center, making their mission an easy goal to materialize. the complex also lies in close proximity to the most important business development areas and leisure centers around the neighborhood.

‘the vitápolis project looks beyond architectural considerations and sets out to deliver a solution adapted to the emerging physical and emotional needs of this section of the population. the development does not merely provide a set of accessible housing units. it aims to create an environment that reflects the way in which users wish to live their lives: pleasant spaces that promote social interaction and spaces where users can learn, keep active, share special moments, and receive treatment while maintaining their privacy and independence,’ the designers share.

dining area