Comprehensive rehabilitation of a historic building for a university campus in Valencia
The former San Juan Bautista Asylum as the new university campus of the European University in Valencia
The European University has promoted the development of its new urban campus in Valencia, located in an attractive area bordering the historic city center and the former Turia Riverbed. The team of professionals from KALAM, as a company specialized in comprehensive building rehabilitation, has carried out this ambitious project in collaboration with Vialterra, completing the works within a very tight schedule to align with the academic calendar and the client’s requirements.
Project context and objectives
The former San Juan Bautista Asylum, built between 1868 and 1874, was already designated for tertiary use. The European University has chosen to rehabilitate this historic building to meet the technological, versatility, and functionality standards required by its educational model. The objective was to preserve its heritage value while providing a modern infrastructure for university education.
Scope of the intervention
The project has covered over 11,000 m², including the comprehensive rehabilitation of the historic building, the construction of a new annex, and the development and landscaping of the surrounding outdoor areas. The new classroom building, designed in dialogue with the original structure, provides additional functionality and reinforces the architectural integration of the entire complex.
Architectural heritage restoration
The project was designed and overseen by Ramón Esteve Estudio. The specialized intervention team preserved the building’s architectural heritage by restoring elements such as Nolla mosaic flooring, wooden carpentry, cast iron columns, wrought ironwork, ceramic and stone baseboards, as well as the cloisters, recovering the beauty of these spaces while respecting the historic vegetation. These areas, in Valencia’s mild climate, will foster gathering and exchange within the university community.
Of particular note is the restoration of Nolla tile surfaces found throughout many of the floors, cloisters, and interior spaces, as well as on baseboards. The restoration process involved repairing small missing or damaged sections using traditional techniques, applying pictorial reintegration in medium-sized areas, and using neutral-colored surfaces in larger zones.
These actions have been fundamental to the preservation of heritage and the recovery of the architectural identity of the protected building.
Structural rehabilitation and functional adaptation
The structural rehabilitation included work on the timber structure, with the execution of structural reinforcements at beam ends and floor slabs, the restoration of all exterior facades and those facing the cloisters, and the rehabilitation of the roofs with the addition of new insulation and the recovery of existing roof tiles.
The renovation of building systems had to be adapted to the architecture of the structure, using areas such as the attic space, among other solutions, to ensure compatibility between the historical value and current functional requirements. The former church has been desacralized for use as a library. Its interior surfaces have been restored, including the recovery of sections of its vaulted ceilings, and lighting and systems have been integrated in a manner compatible with the character of the space.
The remaining spaces within the complex have been adapted to meet university use requirements without compromising their architectural integrity, including classrooms, library, offices, lecture hall, and common areas. The intervention was carried out by KALAM’s in-house technical team, ensuring control, quality, and specialized expertise throughout every phase of the project.
Construction of the new expansion building
A new three-story educational building with a basement has been constructed at the rear of the site, with a total area of 1,280 m². This expansion has made it possible to meet the functional needs of the campus. The construction schedule was adjusted to allow the new building to be put into use before the entire project was completed, optimizing timelines without compromising execution quality.
Conclusion
The new university campus of Universidad Europea in Valencia stands today as a benchmark in the comprehensive rehabilitation of historic buildings, combining respect for architectural heritage with innovation in educational spaces. This project demonstrates KALAM’s capabilities as a company specialized in the rehabilitation of complex buildings, integrating traditional techniques, structural solutions, and a strong commitment to excellence and heritage conservation.
Are you looking for a specialized company to carry out the comprehensive rehabilitation of your building with rigor and quality?
At KALAM, we value interventions on projects already defined by architectural firms, which we support throughout construction to ensure excellent technical execution.
Contact us to receive a proposal tailored to your needs and project.
Technical Data Sheet
- Location: Valencia
- Client: Universidad Europea
- Typology: Comprehensive rehabilitation of a protected building
- Total area rehabilitated: +11.000 m²
- Key interventions: Architectural restoration, Heritage Restoration, Restoration of historic facades, Structural reinforcements, functional adaptation, annex building construction
- Architecture firm: Ramón Esteve Estudio
