The European University has successfully established its new urban campus in Valencia, Spain, through the masterful transformation of a 19th-century neoclassical building. The project, completed in 2024 by Ramón Esteve Estudio, converted the former San Juan Bautista Asylum into a cutting-edge educational facility that now serves nearly 2,000 students, many of them international.
The historic San Juan Bautista Asylum, originally constructed in 1873, presented exceptional potential for rehabilitation due to its valuable architectural and historical heritage. Strategically positioned in Valencia's heart, the building sits directly opposite the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM) and adjacent to the former Turia Riverbed. This prime location, with its proximity to the historic center and seamless integration into the urban fabric, makes it a crucial connection point between Valencia's past and its contemporary identity.
The architectural project represents a comprehensive approach to heritage preservation while meeting 21st-century educational needs. The design team, led by Ramón Esteve and including Anna Boscá, Beatriz Gascón, Guillermo Sahuquillo, Beatriz Martín, and Teresa Pía, prioritized respect for the pre-existing architecture throughout the restoration process. The rehabilitation carefully preserved original elements including intricate Nolla mosaics, stone floors, the historic chapel, and the building's distinctive cloisters. The architects achieved a delicate balance between original and contemporary materials, incorporating modern solutions while maintaining the building's essential character and architectural integrity.
The campus design responds strategically to the academic institution's operational requirements, emphasizing versatility, efficiency, and functional space utilization. The building's layout facilitates optimal organization of academic programs through a clear and balanced architectural scheme. The structure centers around two wings featuring traditional cloisters, which house classrooms and administrative offices. The central body contains common areas specifically conceived as spaces for student gathering and collaborative activities. Administrative functions occupy the spaces facing the main façade, ensuring efficient operational flow.
A distinctive feature of the design is the classrooms' double façade system, which connects interior spaces to both the exterior garden and the internal cloisters. This innovative approach maximizes natural light penetration while creating visual connections between different areas of the campus. The cloisters serve dual purposes as circulation corridors and informal meeting points, fostering interaction between students and faculty members while creating a dynamic and participatory educational environment.
Beyond the extensive rehabilitation of the historic structure, the project includes construction of a new contemporary annex located on the western portion of the site. This modern extension maintains harmonious dialogue with the existing historic complex through careful attention to materiality, color palette, and compositional rhythms. The new volume successfully integrates with the protected historic buildings without compromising their architectural significance, creating a unified campus that spans multiple centuries of design philosophy.
The restoration work encompassed 5,406 square meters of the historic building, while the new extension added 1,753 square meters of contemporary educational space. The project involved collaboration with multiple specialists, including construction companies Kalam and Vialterra, landscaping by GM Paisajistas, and engineering services by Leing Ingeniería. Archaeological oversight by Paloma Berrocal ensured proper handling of any historical discoveries during construction.
Located in Valencia's cultural heart, this architectural ensemble establishes new benchmarks for heritage intervention projects. The design demonstrates how historical preservation and modern functionality can interact seamlessly to create environments that enhance user experience while maintaining operational efficiency. The campus now serves as a model for similar urban renewal projects that seek to preserve cultural heritage while adapting historic structures for contemporary educational needs.
