BUILDING 002 is located in the Fuente de San Luis neighborhood of Valencia, in an area of the city that began to consolidate following the construction of its chapel in the 17th century. The plot is situated on one of the main streets of the neighborhood, on the former route of the agricultural path that connected the fields of Albufera and Ruzafa.
The building closes off the corner of the block in which it is situated. Its narrower facade faces a lush park with large trees, while its wider facade overlooks a pedestrian street. The intent to differentiate each of the two facades based on their orientation and relationship with the urban environment defines the project’s strategy.
The proposal constructs a series of perpendicular bands to the longitudinal facade, which house the bathroom facilities, kitchens, and storage spaces. Large openings with terraces facing the park are created between these bands. The rest of the floor is enclosed by a perimeter wall that contains the interior courtyard, the vertical communication core, and the composition of the narrower facade. This second facade reduces the width of its openings to shield against direct sunlight and to create a contrast with the other facade.
The classic composition of the volume, combined with the services band system, creates a solid infrastructure. Although it is currently intended as an apartment hotel, it is capable of accommodating a multitude of future uses without altering its structure or installations.
