Valenza Healthcare Center

Spain

The new Valenza Healthcare Center, designed by IDOM, is located on a plot of over 3,666 m² on a steep hillside between the Barbaña River and the A-52 highway, in the municipality of Barbadás (Ourense). This strategic yet challenging location has been instrumental in shaping an architectural solution that is both sensitive to the surrounding landscape and responsive to the urban needs of the area.

The site is characterized by its elongated shape and a significant slope exceeding 16 meters. It is bounded to the east by an access road and a four-story residential block, and to the west by a large natural embankment. The architectural proposal addresses this topography with a design that minimizes visual and structural impact, avoiding a boxed-in effect and promoting landscape and urban integration.

The building is organized into two main volumes: a single-story longitudinal body aligned with the embankment, and an upper floor centrally positioned within the plot. This upper level is arranged around an interior courtyard that brings natural light and environmental quality to the healthcare spaces. The layout ensures efficient circulation, a clear functional hierarchy, and a welcoming spatial experience for both users and staff.

From an urban perspective, the project creates high-quality public spaces, including a main entrance plaza connected to both the general access and the ambulance bay, and a rear plaza linked to pediatric areas and waiting rooms. These outdoor areas are enhanced with vegetation, urban furniture, and gentle ramps that ease the slope and reinforce universal accessibility.

The Valenza Healthcare Center not only effectively accommodates a complex healthcare program, but also stands as a benchmark for urban integration and topographic sensitivity. It offers the community a functional, accessible, and sustainable facility that harmonizes with its immediate environment, contributing positively to the urban fabric and the well-being of its users.

Health