![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade, Garden](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8754/e58e/ce77/5500/0120/newsletter/PORTADA_Nubia_2.jpg?1457686315)
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Architects: José Fernando Muñoz Robledo
- Area: 7226 m²
- Year: 2013
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Architect of Record: Andrés Moreno Sánchez
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MEP: Praxair / Oxígenos de Colombia, Inserim aire, Ricardo Forero, Gabriel Eugenio Tobón
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8585/e58e/ce77/5500/011a/newsletter/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_2.jpg?1457685863)
Text description provided by the architects. In 2011, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Manizales, began the construction of this strategic infrastructure for the improvement of areas corresponding to Chemical Engineering & Chemistry laboratories.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/85bb/e58e/ce77/5500/011b/medium_jpg/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_8.jpg?1457685900)
For the last 30 years this intervention of 7,226 m2 of construction, becomes the most ambitious of civil and architectural headquarters.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8627/e58e/ce2d/c300/0282/newsletter/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_25.jpg?1457686018)
The realization of this project is a result of the "Campus La Nubia Master Plan", which has improved, organize and control an orderly growth, according to the actual needs and future projections of the University´s academic field and mission.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/87ed/e58e/ce2d/c300/0286/newsletter/2._Planta_Primer_Piso.jpg?1457686493)
The building was designed based on a participatory design methodology; as a contemporary building, with parameters including the latest technology with excellent architectural and bioclimatic comfort features, to house and interconnect 27 laboratories, making it a promising hub for research development.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Garden](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/85de/e58e/ce2d/c300/0281/newsletter/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_17.jpg?1457685954)
Since the initial the architectural pretension were established by the site with kindness and respect for the satisfactory environmental performance and by principles of functional organization.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8803/e58e/ce77/5500/0122/newsletter/3._Planta_Segundo_Piso.jpg?1457686515)
By this, the conditions of solar foray, energy saving, natural ventilation and lighting, acoustic behavior and accessibility, safety and ergonomics issues of the different parts of the project; were the determining factors in its design.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/86d3/e58e/ce77/5500/011e/newsletter/Nubia_4.jpg?1457686192)
The reinforced concrete structure, exposed to view, is a component of the building´s architecture; two linear internal open yards receiving natural light, provide the relation of the internal with the external environment. The building benefits from an east-west orientation, where the long facades are exposed to north-south, optimal solution to protect the building from direct sunlight using the natural light, reducing the dependence on artificial lighting. The facades are protected by a combination of micro perforated shutters designed as a surround skin, which protects the building from direct sunlight, and allows a high-impact natural ventilation system, eliminating mechanical ventilation systems in all the laboratories.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8724/e58e/ce77/5500/011f/newsletter/Nubia_15.jpg?1457686269)
The linear diagram based on a progression of mutable spaces arranged along corridors and courtyards, gives the building a spatial clarity and readability to the processes of teaching and research, according to the operation and organization of laboratories.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/882d/e58e/ce2d/c300/0288/newsletter/5._Cortes.jpg?1457686557)
The exposed technical facilities and the implementing of lightweight walls enclosures systems, give flexibility to the building for possible changes providing easy maintenance, modifications and repairs in the future.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/8562/e58e/ce2d/c300/0280/newsletter/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_3.jpg?1457685830)
Its electrical wiring system with shielded transmission bars allows a decrease in the volume of space up to 50%, giving flexibility to extensions and modifications while ensuring safer installation, operation and maintenance. The structured cabling system is built for 7A category networks.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/867b/e58e/ce77/5500/011d/medium_jpg/Edificio_Bloque_L_UNAL_Manizales_30.jpg?1457686059)
Additionally the building features a modern air extraction system and a high technology in the transmission system of special gases; loudspeakers system, fire detection system and television closed circuit.
![Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Building / José Fernando Muñoz Robledo - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/56e2/86ac/e58e/ce2d/c300/0283/newsletter/Nubia_00.jpg?1457686147)