‘Residencia Tercera Edad en Torrecilla’

We believe that architecture is a major agent in creating social, psychological and physical well-being for its inhabitants. Therefore, we have designed a building focused on people, a building centered on their sense of belonging, autonomy and well-being. These are the seven key strategies that have allowed us to achieve these goals.

1. Designing an architecture that minimizes its impact on the landscape

The site chosen for the new building is located on a south-facing slope. Therefore, the topography has been a determining factor in the project, leading to the fragmentation of the building in order to reduce the overall scale. A simple connection between the different areas of the program ends up shaping a organization in comb of the whole.

2. Designing an architecture that brings nature into the building

It is not only a matter of integrating the building into the landscape, but also of introducing the landscape into the building, to improve the lives of those who live there. For this reason, a series of gardens are placed between the different pavilions, becoming the central places of the community’s daily life. All of them will be landscaped with plants native to the Sierra Cebollera.

3. Fostering social wellbeing through interaction spaces

Space conditions the way we live and can provide us with opportunities to live better. Surprise, chance and casualness improve the quality of life, and for this reason, we have designed spaces that make possible the existence of fortuitous interactions between people.

4. Designing an architecture that promotes psychological well-being by increasing the residents’ power of choice

Elderly people place great value on preserving their independence and autonomy. Although many need support, having control over some aspects of where and how they live, and when and by whom they are cared for, is significant in their sense of self-determination and thus improves their well-being.

5. Using materials to promote psychological wellbeing

The rootedness of memory and the sense of belonging are factors that favor well-being through the connection with personal identity. We propose a project that includes elements of the architecture of the place, familiar to the residents, most of whom will be locals. Stone foundations or gable roofs provide the sensation of living in harmony with the place.

6. Favoring physical well-being through greater accessibility

Of course this is a key factor in any architectural design, and all the more so here: spaces must be accessible to everyone.

7. Using passive conditioning resources in architecture