Located in Burjassot, Valencia, the new student residence rises over a preexisting structure, transforming an unfinished office building into a vibrant space for living and learning. Featuring a compact and prismatic design, the project optimizes its footprint on the site, reorganizing its interior layout according to a specific structural scheme adapted to the prior condition of having three already-built basement levels.
On the ground floor, next to the main entrance, a double-height space forms the social heart of the residence. At its center, a helical staircase provides both visual and physical connectivity across floors, enhancing interaction among the communal areas, which create a strong network of shared spaces designed for collective living. Around this central space are distributed key functions such as the reception, dining area, coworking and study rooms, library, audiovisual zones, and several terraces. On the main façade, a long pergola provides an outdoor gathering space, creating continuity between the indoor areas and the landscaped garden of the plot.
The pre-existing basement levels have been repurposed to house various support and communal areas. The first basement level includes a fully equipped gym and parking for bicycles and electric scooters, encouraging physical activity and sustainable mobility for a healthier lifestyle.
Basement levels 2 and 3 are designated for residents. The upper floors, from level 2 to 8, are dedicated to student accommodations, offered in a broad variety of typologies to meet diverse living needs.
From individual and double rooms to shared, accessible, and suite-style units, each has been equipped with custom-designed furniture that maximizes space and allows for flexible layouts. Efficiency, comfort, and environmental quality are key principles in each residential unit.
At the rooftop level, a terrace with a swimming pool and solarium becomes a privileged space for rest and socializing, offering unique views over the city of Valencia and the Mediterranean Sea. This open-air area not only expands the residents’ recreational options but also reinforces the sense of community and well-being within the residence.
The building engages in dialogue with the site’s historical context, reviving Burjassot’s industrial memory through a contemporary interpretation of its architectural landscape. As a vestige of the past, a nearby brick chimney has been preserved, its silhouette inspiring the geometry of the volumes that anchor the ends of the building.
The façades, clad in orange-toned metal panels reminiscent of traditional ceramics, give the project a distinctive identity while integrating it harmoniously within its surroundings.
More than just a place to live, the residence is envisioned as a university life ecosystem, where shared spaces foster interaction, learning, and the building of connections. Through architecture focused on collectivity, the project transforms a dormant structure into a new hub for student life and environment that supports both personal growth and integration with the city.
