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Architects: Browne Swett Arquitectos
- Area: 8107 m² Area: 8107 m²
- Year: 2013 Year: 2013
- photographs: Nico Saieh, Enrique BrownePhotographs: Nico Saieh, Courtesy of Enrique Browne
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Structural Engineering: R.G. Ingenieros Asociados LTDA, Jorge Gonzalez, Juan Espinosa
The plot is located in a corner of the busy Vicuña Mackenna Avenue, on which an elevated metro runs. Located in front of the site is the largest Campus of one of the most important universities in the country. Its main access is on the diagonal to the site of the Santo Tomás Professional Institute. Another important issue is the oppressive presence of a metro station of 150 meters in length, located in front of the site with the height of 4 floors. The only visual relief occurs at the corner of the site, exactly on the mentioned diagonal. It was thus decided to access the Institute on that axis.
The disorderly neighbourhood didn’t give any kind of indications for a general scheme. The decision was to separate the new building from the chaotic surroundings, creating a green perimeter embankment, which is walk-able. Below the embankment there would be classrooms facing inwards. The embankment is only discontinued by the main access.
As a general scheme, an efficient and proven solution for educational use was chosen. A “hand” with “fingers”, creating open patios that enable the buildings to receive the eastern, north and western sun. The “fingers” help to divide the construction into different phases in time. Between the buildings that face the diagonal, a long trellised entrance with climbing plants (ampelopsis) is produced. The “fingers” extremities have vegetation on its ends, protecting these facades from noise and sun, uniting them with the embankments.
The “fingers” converge at an ample and varied central hall of 4 levels, surrounded and crossed by ramps and sitting areas. Along with the large patio, this will be the centre of students´ and teachers´ activities, especially during winter. It concentrates the most public and used programs. This space has varied circulations and natural lighting devices. It can be easily intervened using audiovisual devices.
The “finger” structure is defined by a mix between economy and flexibility. Its exterior longitudinal facades work as solid walls, being held rigid with steel “Xs” with T-sections. Transversally, at every set distance, the volumes are crossed completely (in all their height) with concrete walls. All of this allows for an excellent bracing against horizontal structural charges, as well as flexibility in terms of locating the corridors in any of the volume´s longitudinal sides. The built price per m2 is quite inexpensive.
