New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Prioritising the places and people that need it the most

Email user
estudio@romerovallejo.com

Basic information
Project title
VITÁPOLIS

Full Project Title
VITÁPOLIS _ senior cohousing

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
Vitápolis is a cooperative housing complex and common areas, with social assistance services for seniors that aims to provide answers to their physical, emotional and economic needs.
It is a place where the elderly can live and enjoy life, without fear of the limitations that the passage of time imposes.

Vitápolis is a project where the aesthetic conditions of the building are presented as a basic and indispensable condition to ensure well-being.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
National

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Spain

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Toledo and Castilla La Mancha

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly urban

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2020-01-17

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organization, in partnership with other organisations
If you are submitting this project as part of a group, please provide the contact details of the other individuals or organisations
- Name of the organisation(s): Sociedad cooperativa de Castilla La Mancha Vitapolis
  Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation
  First name of representative: Mariano
  Last name of representative: Vallejo
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: Spain
  Function: proyect coordinator
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: plaza juan de mariana, nº3.1
  Town: toledo
  Postal code: 45002
  Country: Spain
  Direct Tel: +34 925 25 64 30
  E-mail: marianovallejo@vitapolis.es
  Website: https://www.vitapolis.es/
- Name of the organisation(s): Romero Vallejo Arquitectos
  Type of organisation: For-profit company
  First name of representative: Sara
  Last name of representative: Romero
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Spain
  Function: Architect
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: paseo de los canonigos, nº10,6
  Town: toledo
  Postal code: 45004
  Country: Spain
  Direct Tel: +34 675 08 24 88
  E-mail: estudio@romerovallejo.com
  Website: https://www.romerovallejo.com/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/vitapolis_/?hl=es
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): #vitapolis #seniorliving #seniorcoliving
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/romero_vallejo/?hl=es
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): #romerovallejo
- URL: https://es-es.facebook.com/vitapolis/
- URL: https://twitter.com/Vitapolis
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Social Media

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
The Cooperative Society of Castilla La Mancha VITÁPOLIS has the corporate purpose of improving the quality of life of the elderly, or of any age with some degree of physical disability through the offer of goods and services in the best market conditions, including condominium accommodation on the complex, personal care of all kinds (including assistance) and leisure activities.
The condition to be a member is to be over 55 years old or have a minimum degree of disability of 33%.
Promoting and improving social and assistance activity both in the center and in the urban environment. The building has 35 apartments and a program of 800 sqm of common spaces on the ground floor (consultations, gym, workshops, living rooms, cafeteria, swimming pool, sports area, etc.) that offers services to both internal and external partners, improving relationships with the social context and also with family and friends, creating an architectural environment that dignifies the senior group.
The importance of obtaining affordable prices has been fundamental in the development of the project. The houses (60 sqm with 25 sqm of common areas) have cost 125,000 €. The fees that the members pay monthly start at 460€, with the socio-assistance services (24 hour attention, staff, maintenance, activities, energy supplies and cleaning). There are different types of complementary home help services.
Assisted people can also be in the center with higher quotas depending on their personal situation.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
Senior

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Community

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Beauty

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Healthcare

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Sustainability

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
SUSTAINABILITY
The construction system based on industrialized elements such as prefabricated concrete systems, both in the exterior enclosure and in the structural elements, has reduced most of the work waste in the construction of the building.
The building, in terms of energy efficiency, has the highest rating, thanks to the combination of passive systems such as the arrangement and orientation of the openings in the facade, increase in thermal insulation in the enclosures, the use of shadows thrown from the building, etc... with active systems.
A radiant floor system and domestic hot water production system, through aerothermal energy, allows optimizing energy savings while providing excellent thermal comfort both in homes and in common areas. Works for both cold and heat.

On the other hand, all the building installation systems (electricity, plumbing and telecommunications) have been designed to facilitate maintenance and be able to adapt to the new energy saving frameworks, without works, and in a short period of time.
A system of lockers that can be accessed throughout the entire building, both in the common areas and in the apartments, allows immediate access to the facilities.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY is one of the key factors in this proyect.
Affordable prices, participate processes and community strengthening.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
KEY OBJECTS:
In the world of the elderly (or people with disabilities) aesthetic considerations in the buildings, services and care they receive (architecture, product design, interior) practically do not exist. In most cases it is reduced to functional aspects.
At Vitápolis we believe that this approach is totally wrong and that the need to fully enjoy life does not address age groups, but an attitude towards life ("hedonism").

The main objectives of the project in aesthetic terms:
Define a contemporary architectural language both inside and out that reflects this hedonistic attitude towards life.
The markedly sculptural character of the building aims to achieve a monumental aspect that dignifies the senior group, achieve an image as a representation of the community, creating a feeling of belonging.
The quality of the experience is manifested through open and continuous spaces, where natural light and views of the surroundings play a fundamental role.
Materials, structural elements and facilities, manifest as they are.
The permanent contrast between industrialized elements and ad-hoc handmade wooden furniture (defined with specific ergonomic criteria) coexist, underlining the permanent relationship between past and future of life itself.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, CITIZEN COMMITMENT
Vitápolis is a cooperative, a social economy project, which aims to improve the lives of the elderly, prioritizing social relations, the quality of services and an affordable price. The last word is held by its partners when making decisions through assemblies.
There are internal partners (with housing) and external partners (without housing) who also participate in the activities and services of the center.

CO-DESIGN, UNIVERSAL DESIGN, ACCESSIBILITY
Vitápolis is advised by a multidisciplinary group of professionals (architects, engineers, lawyers, economists, health professionals) who transform your concerns and dreams into reality.
The balance between functional and aesthetic needs is one of the most interesting debates.
Accessibility in all spaces is essential, even having lifts for stretchers.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
CITIZEN BENEFITING
There is a lack of residential offer that suits their physical, emotional and economic needs of senior colectives. It is not just about generating an accessible and attractive architectural framework, with the appropriate types of housing. At the same time, it is about generating a system of relationships and a service program that promotes and facilitates a way of life. Improving relationships with the social context, with family and friends.
It was about generating a proyect of future for this senior group, in this final stage of life, where they can live without fear, enjoying the positive things that life offers us (relationships, friendship, learning, taking care of oneself,...) where they can be attended if necessary and be able to naturalize the physical limitations that the passage of time imposes on us.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
The Toledo city council sold a social plot, but the entire project has been developed without financing and with its own financial means.
Looking to the future, one of the cooperative's main challenges is to make the administrations responsible aware of the importance of promoting and helping to develop this type of facility. The quality of life of this group of people (and their family environment) is improved, which on the other hand is estimated for 2050 in a third of the European population; this tipology causes that care services, health centers, hospitals are decongested; public resources are optimized and social endowments in the city are improved.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
Vitapolis is a cooperative project, which has had and still has as managers a multidisciplinary team made up of architects, engineers, lawyers, economists, health workers, who advise the cooperative and together find the best solutions for the community.
Mariano Vallejo ( romero & vallejo architects) as proyect coordinator has managed all the project in collaboration with the governing board of the cooperative and all the partners. In this type of projects there are four fundamental fields of knowledge: economic, welfare, legal and technical. Every time a decision is made it affects one of them.
The work of the management team advising is essential so that the decisions that are made are usually the correct ones.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
The center was finished building at the beginning of 2020. On this date, in the midst of the pandemic, the homes were delivered and the services started up. The members began to inhabit the center during the pandemic and the damage to people has been nil, which represents the quality and strength of this service system for the elderly.

Today the center continues to improve by increasing the offer of services for internal and external partners, while at the same time trying to make administrations aware of the importance of supporting these projects.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://www.vitapolis.es/
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
The innovative character of the buildings is manifested in diferents subjects.
Guarantee the quality of life of the elderly and their family environment.
Create an economically affordable offer in housing and social assistance services.
Promote a sense of belonging by strengthening the community.
Define anti-speculative ownership model. The houses belong to the cooperative and the member has a right to use while living.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
The vitapolis collective has worked advised by a multidisciplinary team (architects, enginers, lawyers, health workers, economists).
The final proposal has been agreed upon and has been developed with all the members of the cooperative. Many meetings and assemblies have been held evaluating positive and negative aspects of the different alternatives and possibilities. The result has been oriented to the common benefits. (Attached photos of some meetings and assemblies)

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
The potential of this project is universal, since the problem of population aging in the world and its management is one of the main challenges that must be addressed.
Each country has particularities in the regulations but in general all the operating schemes of this project can be transferred universally in most of Europe.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
In Spain, as in the rest of Europe, the general aging of the population is a reality.

On the other hand, there is a lack of residential offer that suits their physical, emotional and economic needs. It is not just about generating an accessible and attractive architectural framework, with the appropriate types of housing.
At the same time, it is about generating a system of relationships and a service program that promotes and facilitates a way of life.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
- Vitapolis video.pptx
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes