ADORAS Atelier Arquitectura

In barely a decade, Adoras Atelier has become one of the most active and relevant architecture studios in Spain. The figures corroborate this: since its creation, it has designed more than 2,300 homes and almost 1.2 million square metres of green areas. But what were its origins like, what kind of architectural culture characterises its work, how has it put its stamp on the projects it has carried out together with Kronos Homes?

Origin and trajectory of Adoras Atelier Arquitectura

At the helm of Adoras Atelier is Jesús Gallego, who graduated in 2011 from the former Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura y Geodesia of the University of Alcalá de Henares (ETSAG-UAH). "I decided to become an architect because of that euphoria you get when you are able to express deep thoughts with a pencil. Also out of curiosity and because of my father, whom I used to accompany to the building site when I was a child. All of that awakened my interest in architecture," he reveals in a Kronos Homes video.

As for who his references are, he acknowledges that he has always been very interested in the transgressive, visionary and utopian architects of the 18th century, as well as other more contemporary figures in architecture and sociology:

• Étienne-Louis Boullée. Born in Paris in 1728, he was, together with Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, one of the most influential figures in French neoclassical architecture.
• Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Originally from Dormans (1736), the French architect and landscape architect produced numerous works. In addition to his extensive oeuvre, he is remembered for his innovative vision and for being considered the forerunner of architectural utopianism.
• Le Corbusier. The Swiss Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris (La Chaux-de-Fonds, 1887), better known as Le Corbusier, left a legacy that has influenced Jesús Gallego.
• Christian de Portzamparc. The founder of Adoras had the opportunity to work with De Portzamparc (Casablanca, Morocco, 1944), whom he describes as "a very great architect", in Paris in 2012. His quality is endorsed by the award of the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1994.
• Jane Jacobs. Finally, Gallego highlights the work of this sociologist born in Scranton (USA) in 1916 and "whose reflections on the city should be in the public domain", he believes.

Before working with Christian de Portzamparc, the Spanish architect had the opportunity to work with the Milanese firm Goring & Straja Architects. However, with the former he discovered and enjoyed the "architecture workshop" methodology that influenced the creation of Adoras Atelier Arquitectura in 2015 - the French term "atelier" means workshop.

With offices in Alicante and Madrid, the studio has carried out most of its work in the province of Alicante. In addition to its residential projects, it also designs green areas, a work in which the recovery of native species is a priority, as in El Palmeral de las Colinas, and the resignification of space, as in the Eje Verde Norte de Alcalá de Henares (Madrid).

Culture of architecture according to Adoras Atelier

Adoras is currently made up of a multidisciplinary team made up of architects, specialists in building information modelling (BIM) and industrial design, 3D visualisation experts, civil engineers... And since its beginnings it has defended a philosophy based on three fundamental pillars:

• Mixticity. This term is used to refer to the richness of diversity. According to the study, cities must be heterogeneous, open and adaptive. They must generate an inclusive space that welcomes citizens in their subjectivity and allows them to find a place where they can fulfil themselves. "Together with inclusive architecture, mixticity is the most effective phenomenon for combating insecurity and creating a sense of belonging that turns a residential area into a happy neighbourhood," Jesús Gallego explains in an interview with El Mundo.
• Emotion. In the conception of architecture, emotion is the iconic capacity to form part of an identity as people and as a city.

• Future. Finally, at Adoras they work in plurality with a common goal: to transcend the present to project the future.

"Through mixticity, emotion and the future, we want to respond to the diversity of personalities and identities with a very mixed product. And also to give emotion to housing, to attract people to city centres. All this while taking the environment into account: we must use the latest technologies available to us to reduce the ecological footprint", explains the CEO and founder of Adoras Atelier Arquitectura to Kronos Homes.

A good example of the studio's commitment to respect for the environment is the fact that several of its projects have been awarded the Breeam certificate. Among other objectives, this seal aims to promote the construction of sustainable buildings and stimulate demand for them.

Most important works of Adoras Atelier de arquitectura

The combination of mixticity, emotion and future is an architecture that the studio defines as "unrepeatable, inclusive and sustainable, capable of reaching a universal dimension from a local vision, culturally rooted and adapted to a unique environment".

One of the priorities of Jesús Gallego and his team is to design buildings that contribute to creating happy, diverse, habitable, identitary and environmentally friendly neighbourhoods. Places that are good for those who live there and also for the planet. A purpose that the professionals at Adoras translate through architecture inspired by nature.

Among its interesting catalogue of residential projects, the Alicante firm highlights the following projects:

• Allonbay Village Arena. Villajoyosa, Alicante. 2023.
• Colinas. Orihuela, Alicante. 2023.
• Allongbay Village Aster. Villajoyosa, Alicante. 2022
• Ithaca. San Juan, Alicante. 2020.
• Labradores 24 (integral rehabilitation). Alicante. 2020.
• Allongbay Village Aqua. Villajoyosa, Alicante. 2020.
• Isea. Calpe, Alicante. 2019.
• Villa Ade. Las Paulinas, Alicante. 2018.
• Painter Lorenzo Casanova. Alicante. 2017.

Projects with Kronos Homes

Adoras Atelier's work has also been carried out for Kronos Homes. True to its philosophy of collaborating with the best local architects, the Kronos Real Estate Group's residential developer has commissioned several residential developments from Jesús Gallego's studio.

One of them is General Marvà 3, in the heart of Alicante.

• It is a building with spacious and bright flats characterised by its quality, uniqueness and sustainability.
• As usual in Kronos developments, the community leisure areas play an important role. On this occasion, they are located on the ground floor, where a vertical garden and a children's play area have been created, and on the rooftop, where a swimming pool has been installed.

As for Nature, this is an architectural landmark in one of Alicante's most popular enclaves: San Juan beach.

• Sculptural overhangs, glass balustrades and ceramic baguettes give shape to an ensemble that combines design and quality of life.
• Likewise, special attention has been paid to the communal areas (swimming pool, gymnasium with spa, children's play areas, hammock garden...).
• And also to sustainability, as evidenced by the achievement of the demanding Breeam certificate.

Finally, O7 is a residential complex located in Montjuïc, one of the most attractive areas of Barcelona.

• In the heart of the green lung of Barcelona is an avant-garde complex that pays homage to the architecture of Ricardo Bofill, without renouncing the studio's own personality.
• The project has a full range of community facilities to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.

When asked how he would define a Kronos Homes home, Jesús Gallego replies that the developer's homes are daring. "Kronos gives us the freedom to design unique, avant-garde and modern buildings," he concludes.