Adjacent to the traditional town square and church in the town of Villabuena de Alava in Spain, the Viura Hotel is an unexpectedly contemporary structure in the form of a pile of irregular cubes, designed by the local practice of Mup-Arq.
The foundations of the hotel are set into the bedrock of the region and support a two level elevation which is below that of the church as is customary in the town. The contrasting elements of steel and concrete continue into the interior and become part of the public areas of the hotel. A constant outdoor element is enjoyed through a series of atriums, open courtyards and terraces which make this an ideal destination from which to enjoy the scenic countryside.
A vital element of the project are the eco-friendly aspects of the hotel, olive pits are used as a biomass which produces the energy for the underfloor heating of the interior and a clean transportation system is encouraged in the town via the bicycles available for the guests to use free of charge. In spite of its contemporary design, the hotel maintains a strong dialogue with the region through the natural textures of the interior and the barrel decoration in the restaurant. Only local products are used within the establishment, which manufactures and sells its own brand of wine.
