In 1934 the rector of the Universitat de València, Juan Peset, following the model of the Residencia de Estudiantes de la Institución Libre de Enseñanza in Madrid, launched a construction project that became the Residential College Lluis Vives, opened in 1954 by Franco. Peset could not see that project implemented because he died executed by firearm in 1941 in Paterna, condemned by a summarily Francoist court. The new regime put an end to the educational model of the Republic that inspired the idea of student housing, but it maintained the building designed by Javier Goerlich, one of the best preserved samples of the rationalist architecture of the turn of the 20th century in Valencia.

Nowadays, la Institució Alfons el Magnànim-Centre Valencià d’Estudis i d’Investigacions presents the book La Residencia de Estudiantes y la Ciudad Universitaria de Valencia: el Colegio Mayor Luis Vives.

Nautical style

The work coordinated by David Sánchez reviews the history of this emblematic building of the residence from the beginning of the project during the Second Republic, to becoming one of the unique remains of the rationalist architecture of the turn of the 20th century and a magnificent example of the so-called nautical style regarding its interesting and suggestive curved forms. The importance of this building increases because of its privileged location, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, known at that time as Paseo de Valencia al Mar. Residence Hall of students of the nearest faculties and HQ for culture and intellectual activities since its opening, closed on 31 July 2012. Some unknowns are considered about its near future (it was discussed about a project of reform and implementation that seems to be paralysed and caused some mistrusts from the heritage point of view).

This book defends the real importance in the urban life of Valencia and its evident artistic and heritage value.