Combonianos Residence

The proposal was born from the site: a plot with spectacular views over its surroundings. An environment of accentuated topography that was used to intertwine the two proposed programs with the needs of the community that resided there. On the one hand, the programme for the private life of its members (residential use), and on the other, the programmes for public access (chapel and museum). How to interweave two independents yet closely related programmes? How to anchor the project to the terrain while still enjoying the surrounding views?

The solution was found in the unevenness of the site, which allowed independent entrances and uses at different levels, but linked in a single compact volume. The proposal rose from the communal and public programmes clinging to the ground floor to the upper rings of the private areas of the rooms and terraces, reaching up to the roof created as a large tray for recreation and rest.

In terms of the materialisation of the project, priority was given to durability and energy saving. Emphasis was placed on the entry of natural light into all the rooms, the creation of cross ventilation and night ventilation for the rooms thanks to the central courtyard, and on the care taken with solar protection and insulation of the entire envelope.

The landscaping also accompanied the building, highlighting the access points, the landscaped areas, and the planting of tree species according to the orientation, while maintaining the original topography of the land. The natural environment created led the runoff towards the rainwater infiltration areas in the green areas and filtering pavements, helping to reduce their water requirements and promoting the absorption of rainwater within the project as much as possible. In the natural environment created, continuous routes for prayer and meditation were integrated into the rose gardens, shady vegetation, and viewpoints for rest.


Name:

Combonianos Residence


Typology:

Community Residence


Location:

Moncada, Valencia


Year:

2002-2006


Surface area:

Edificio: 3900 m2 / Parcela:10.000 m2


Developer:

Congregación de Misioneros Combonianos


Team:

Esther Gonzalez Aurignac, Tom Mossel, Amparo Vicente Contelles, Franziska Herb, Tom Hartmans, Tecnical Architects: Antonio González Rodrigo,Fernando Atoche Fernandez
Engineering: GIA Ingeniería
Installations: Grupotec


Photography:

Tom Mossel


Builder:

Llanera S.L