Vallekas is an innovative housing project located in the Vallecas district of Madrid, Spain, developed with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability, community living, and affordability. Created by the cooperative Entrepatios, the project emerges as a response to rising housing prices and the need for ecological, socially cohesive urban living.
The building is certified under Passivhaus energy efficiency standards, designed to minimize environmental impact by prioritizing energy savings, natural cross-ventilation, optimal use of daylight, and the use of non-toxic, locally sourced building materials. The Vallekas project is notable for its participatory design process, involving future residents in key decisions from the early stages, fostering a strong sense of collective ownership and community.
It features 17 dwellings of various sizes, oriented to maximize sunlight while maintaining internal flexibility. Shared spaces are integral to the design, including communal gardens, a rooftop terrace, and multipurpose rooms, which encourage social interaction and resource sharing. The project also integrates urban farming areas and shared mobility systems.
Importantly, ownership of the homes is structured as "cesión de uso" (use transfer), a limited-equity cooperative model that prevents housing speculation and ensures long-term affordability, stability, and democratic management by the residents. Vallekas stands as a pioneering example in Spain of housing that prioritizes social, ecological, and economic sustainability while actively engaging its community.