Vitápolis is a senior citizen co-living space designed to cater to its residents’ functional needs but also channel their “aspirations, ideals and desires in this new stage of life,” says architect studio Romero & Vallejo. APE Grupo ceramics were used in the project with the aim of creating a “welcoming, warm and familiar” space.
Located in Toledo, Spain, the housing complex (or co-living space) for seniors with customisable socio-assistance services, comprises 35 independent and accessible apartments, with over 1500sqm dedicated to a gym, workshops, a cafeteria, living rooms, gardens, pools, sports areas and urban gardens.
The creators, Sara Romero and Antonio Vallejo, exchanged ideas, gathered concerns and empathised with a large group of seniors, including the future owners and cooperative members of the apartments.
This led them to use various ceramic materials in different areas of the building in harmony with other materials. Ceramics, apart from their high performance and beauty, “are woven into our memory, our DNA, enabling us to create architecture with a human touch,” said Romero.
The building has reportedly achieved the highest energy efficiency rating by incorporating both active and passive efficiency elements. Vitápolis was the winning project at the APE Grupo Architecture Awards, described by judges as “an architectural masterpiece that resonates with emotions and human relationships”.
