Our story
When Vivarium opened its doors in 2021, we set out to build the community we had always longed for but couldn’t find anywhere else.
A community where people from all walks of life could come together to connect, support each other’s aspirations, and learn together.
We believed –and still do– that a different way of living and working is possible. One that is more balanced, connected, and intentional.
Vivarium’s beginnings
In 2021, just when we were starting to leave covid and after months working isolated at home, we quit our job and brought our experience working remotely for a tech company from a rural community in northern Spain to Valencia.
We started with a small prototype: an 8-room house that we renovated with our savings. We invited friends who also worked remotely—equally eager (and perhaps a bit crazy) to leave everything behind and live together for a while.
Our goal was simple: to create a place where we could live more fulfilling, inspiring, and creative lives. A place to learn how to live together and cultivate a life well-lived.
For the first two years, Vivarium operated on a small scale, welcoming over 80 incredible individuals from all walks of life who helped lay the foundation for what the community is today.
Since then the community has grown, we have added new spaces and our approach has matured. Today, Vivarium is home to 24 people from different backgrounds, all looking to live and work in a supportive and creative environment.
While we’ve evolved from our early days, our focus remains on creating a place where people can connect, share, and grow together while enjoying our amazing city.
We’ve made many changes along the way, but we strive to maintain the spirit that led us to start this adventure.
Meet the Team
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I’m a true coffee enthusiast (ask me why), and I can’t help but jump with excitement when I get a good avocado. I have a passion for second-hand and vintage shopping, and while I dream of stepping out into the world in high heels every day, I usually end up in Adidas. I’m Ecuadorian, hailing from Esmeraldas, and though I was one of the quieter ones in the classroom, it was because I preferred observing and listening over talking (although you might think otherwise when you meet me now!)
After finishing school, I wasn’t sure which path to take—everything seemed possible. I suppose I can thank my mother for that; she’s the one who taught me that I could create any life I wanted. For instance, I could be analytical in some areas while embracing creativity in others, or be deeply intellectual yet cherish moments where I don’t need to use my brain cells at all. It’s about learning to live with the contradictions that make us all a bit unique and complex.
This complexity, and my curiosity to observe and understand it, has led me to embrace life’s opportunities with openness, flexibility, and awe. Now, as I work at Vivarium and in the Community Building sector, I’ve come to appreciate even more the balance of sensitivity and resilience required for those of us who find motivation in contributing to impactful projects, building purposeful communities, and facilitating meaningful connections.
Navigating an environment where cultures, customs, and realities constantly intertwine isn’t just for the brave—it’s for the wildly optimistic, too. And if you’ve made it this far, it’s a sign that you’re one of us. So come on in—welcome!
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I’ve always found it incredibly challenging to fit myself into a single label, one that truly captures all the things I’m passionate about and curious to explore.
Perhaps the best way to introduce myself is as someone with many questions, who loves searching for answers and isn’t (too) afraid of being wrong.
Questions led me to travel during a certain stage of my life, and through those experiences, I discovered the power of community and found something I was passionate enough about to dedicate my life to: facilitating change.
One label I’ve embraced is that of an entrepreneur. Driven by the desire to solve problems I encountered, I founded two ventures—the most recent being Vivarium. It’s the project I’ve invested the most time and energy into, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see how it has flourished and matured into what it is today.
Another label I use is that of a consultant and strategic designer in the field of organizational change, which is where I currently focus most of my efforts. I’m convinced that to change society, we must first change businesses, and I’m (kind of) obsessed with helping my clients achieve that.
However, the label I would really like to be remembered for is that of someone who aspires to become a bit wiser and a slightly better person each day. Or maybe as an amateur chef? A philosophy enthusiast? A terrible skier and kitesurfer? Or perhaps a frustrated artist?
