Vitápolis. Accessible Senior Living in Toledo, Spain
Vitápolis, designed by Toledo-based architectural firm Romero & Vallejo, is a 5,860 m2 residential complex that opened in 2020, with services tailored to the needs of residents. It comprises thirty-five fully-accessible independent apartments and a community space with a surface of more than 1,500 m2. The community center has a gymnasium, workshops, a cafeteria, meeting rooms, lounges, gardens, pools, and sports facilities.
The Concept
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 how residents wish to live their lives: pleasant spaces that promote social interaction and where they can learn, keep active, share special moments, and receive treatment while maintaining their privacy and independence.
The concept was to design spaces to accommodate and promote a way of life that seeks to optimize their quality of life into the future while adapting naturally to the changes and limitations that time will inevitably bring. Residents can access activities that promote cohesion, present opportunities for interaction, and enhance the potential of the domestic space (library, workshops, galleries, etc.).
The Site
The building sits on a virtually flat rectangular plot of land and runs lengthwise from west to east. It is within green areas that cover a surface area of more than 1,000 m2 with pools and sports facilities.
The Building
The building is in the heart of the residential neighborhood of Santa María de Benquerencia in Toledo. Surrounded by green areas, Vitápolis residents can access several local amenities, including the health center, the municipal library, and the civic center. From the outset of this project, the location was one of the main challenges that the firm faced. There had to be a strong emphasis on helping residents integrate to the greatest extent possible within the locality and the urban setting, with a view to maximizing their day-to-day independence and, in the process, present opportunities for interaction and keeping active beyond the confines of the building.
The exterior is in the form of a series of raised continuous horizontal strips which opens and closes according to orientation, to combat the harsh effects of the sun. These strips are, on the one hand, the exterior representation of the communal or community space of the building, which stands as the centerpiece of the proposal, and, on the other, the domestic “transition” space (“heated terraces”).
The building meets the most stringent energy-efficiency requirements based on a combination of passive systems, such as the arrangement and orientation of openings in façades, increased thermal insulation in enclosures, and shadow projections. An aerothermal air conditioning and domestic hot water production system optimize energy consumption and provide excellent thermal comfort in residential units and in community spaces.
The Design
The aim is to design a welcoming and timeless space that connects more than 1,500 m2 of community space to create welcoming areas for residents and visitors. The surroundings are elegant and comfortable with a harmonious combination of elements: neutral colours, high-grade materials, such as beechwood and hand-crafted tiling, and a mixture of contemporary and cosmopolitan elements, such as ready-mixed concrete and exposed installations.
The Spaces
The ground floor houses the community spaces (cafeteria, reception, gym, meeting rooms, etc.) and is fully integrated into the urban setting, providing access to them for the residents living in neighboring areas. The ground floor also accommodates the main lounge with a fireplace, a cafeteria-restaurant, a gym, and physiotherapy, meeting, and infirmary rooms. A glazing system encloses the entire ground floor, affording clear views of the outside areas and gardens.
The upper floors accommodate the residential units with access to other communal facilities (laundry rooms, lounges, etc.). At the highest level, residents enjoy a large roof terrace that affords 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding areas and an infinity pool.
The Interiors
Large flowerpots and plant stands, with a mix of vegetation, are in all interior and exterior spaces. They promote balance, health, and a greater connection with nature. Contemporary furniture designed by Romero & Vallejo, such as the Ruff pouf for Spanish furniture studio GAN or the Palma carpets, for Now Carpets, complement classic designs, such as the Cesta table lamp and TMM lamps by Miguel Milá for Santa&Cole, and Jaime Hayon-designed Frames rattan armchair for Expormim.
The terrace area, which has underfloor heating, extends the living space and serves as a transition point to the exterior.
The Units
The upper floors accommodate the residential units with access to other communal facilities (laundry rooms, lounges, etc.). At the highest level, residents enjoy a large roof terrace that affords 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding areas and an infinity pool.
The apartments provide pleasant, fully accessible, well-lit, and multi-purpose living areas that adapt to individual needs. There are two apartment models: sixty-square-meter one-bedroom units and eighty-square-meter two bedrooms. An open-concept layout without hallways is barrier-free.
The solarium on the rooftop houses an infinity pool from which residents enjoy spectacular views of Toledo.
Romero Vallejo is an architecture, interior design, and product design studio founded by the architects Sara Romero and Mariano Vallejo that operates internationally and specializes in cohousing and coliving projects. A team of lawyers, economists, designers, and architects effectively manages all project phases.
Photographer: Ángel Segura