HITO VIVO
LIVING LANDMARK IN BIAR
Hito Vivo is conceived as a new cultural and civic landmark for the historic town of Biar. Designed to house an association centre and auditorium, the project is rooted in the desire to create a place that not only hosts performances, events, and community activities, but also becomes an everyday meeting point for residents. Its name — meaning “living milestone” — reflects this ambition: a building that anchors civic life while evolving with it over time.
Situated at the edge of Biar’s historic centre, the project occupies a prominent site in dialogue with the town’s most recognisable monuments — the medieval castle and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The form and materiality of the building respond directly to this context. A monolithic volume, crafted from adobe-based construction and warm-toned materials, echoes the earthy colours and textured surfaces of its surroundings. This restrained, robust architectural language ensures that Hito Vivo stands as a contemporary addition while feeling deeply embedded in place.
The design draws from the typology of civic landmarks as defined by history: buildings that combine solidity, simplicity, and public accessibility. At the heart of Hito Vivo is a flexible auditorium that can adapt to different scales and formats — from theatre and music performances to community gatherings, workshops, and exhibitions. The association centre, with its meeting rooms and informal social spaces, connects seamlessly with the auditorium, encouraging overlap between cultural programming and daily community use. Two dedicated entrances allow each function to operate independently when needed, but internal connections invite interaction and shared activity.
The surrounding public spaces are integral to the concept. A generous shaded entrance terrace welcomes visitors, acting as a threshold between the street and the building. Outdoor seating areas, protected by the building’s overhangs, create informal meeting points and extend the civic life of the interior into the public realm.
Material selection plays a central role in defining the character and performance of Hito Vivo. The building envelope uses adobe walls for their thermal mass and natural insulation, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Timber shutters, recycled roof tiles, copper rainwater systems, and reclaimed concrete structure contribute to a palette that is both sustainable and deeply tactile. These materials are chosen for their ability to age gracefully, acquiring a patina that will further integrate the building into its setting over time. The distinctive “Biar Window” — a grid of openings inspired by local patterns — offers both daylight and shade, allowing users to modulate the interior environment while maintaining a strong connection with the townscape.
Environmental performance is embedded in the architecture. Thick walls and careful orientation ensure that interiors remain cool in summer and warm in winter, echoing traditional Mediterranean passive design strategies. Rainwater is harvested from the roof to supply non-potable uses such as toilet flushing, and photovoltaic panels are discreetly integrated to generate renewable energy on site. Together, these strategies minimise the building’s operational carbon footprint while keeping maintenance demands low.
Hito Vivo is also designed for long-term adaptability. The structural system of load-bearing walls and simple spans enables future reconfiguration of interior layouts, ensuring the building can evolve with changing needs. Accessibility is integral, with step-free access throughout and facilities designed to welcome all members of the community.
In its scale, form, and program, Hito Vivo reinterprets the role of the civic landmark for contemporary life. It is at once a symbol and a space for gathering, a building that looks to Biar’s history while offering a flexible, sustainable framework for its cultural future.
Program: Auditorium and local association center
Size: 2,500m2
Location: Biar, Alicante, Spain
Client: Biar Municipality
Collaborators: Bolufer Mora arquitectos
Type: Competition
Team: Heechan Park, Henning Stüben, Luis Manovel, Gaspar Cánepa, José Villar Pastor, Borja Santurino
