Platinum Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2021
Unasur Institutional Headquarters
- A' Design Award 2021 Platinum Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Unasur
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 232,869
- Verification code 8179C3A792 · Verify this award
About Unasur Institutional Headquarters
Unasur is an institutional headquarters building located next to the Mitad del Mundo monument, north of Quito, Ecuador. About 75 percent of the program is placed underground, so the volume stays lower than the nearby monument. A solid reinforced concrete core supports two large metal trusses that form a habitable beam with a cantilever of 56 meters without support. Materials include concrete, steel, rock from an on-site quarry and double glazed dark glass. Water collection, cross ventilation and natural light reduce energy use. Open areas around the building are public.
This remarkable architectural achievement by Diego Guayasamin represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary institutional design, demonstrating how bold structural ambition can merge with refined material sensibility to create buildings that function as both functional headquarters and sculptural landmarks within their environmental contexts. The design appears to engage thoughtfully with the dramatic geological setting, positioning its primary architectural gesture—the extraordinary cantilevered volume—in dialogue with the volcanic peak visible in the distance, suggesting a conceptual conversation between human engineering capability and natural geological forces. The formal strategy employs a deliberate material and chromatic duality, with the grounded white podium structure establishing stability and accessibility while the suspended dark mass above embodies aspiration and institutional gravitas, a compositional approach that may reference architectural traditions of expressing hierarchy through vertical differentiation. Technical accomplishment is evident in the seamless integration of the reflective glass curtain wall system, which transforms the building envelope into an active participant in its surroundings by capturing and presenting mirror images of sky, mountain, and atmosphere across its surfaces. The incorporation of the reflective water element extends this strategy into the landscape, creating a contemplative threshold zone that doubles the architectural presence and introduces phenomenological richness through the interplay of solid form and liquid reflection. Interior illumination visible through the carefully proportioned window bands suggests the human activity housed within while establishing warm counterpoint to the cool exterior palette, a detail that humanizes the monumental scale. One might consider how this work invites reflection on the relationship between collective institutional purpose and individual human experience within spaces of ceremonial significance.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The building's spatiality, tectonics and program played a fundamental role. The architects have been the designers, the interior designers and the landscape architects. Starting by choosing rock from an on-site quarry to connect the Middle of the World Complex to the project, as a continuous urban space. The use of double insulated dark glass, generating exteriority vs. interiority, day vs. night, transparency vs. opacity, contrasts. The tectonic was deeply analyzed because it had to satisfy standards, norms and protocols from 12 Latin American countries.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Structurally, the predominant materials are concrete and steel. The proposal of a solid core of reinforced concrete where two large metal trusses were anchored in a way of a habitable beam. The structure results in a positive, proactive, strong and iconic image system. This scheme is the largest armor cantilever in South America with 56 meters without support. Thus modeling technology, drive and creativity.
- Tags
- Metaphor, Freedom, Cantilever, Sculpture, Timeless, Equator, Sun, Iconic, Latitude
- Production Technology
- Environmentally UNASUR is committed to biophilic design and efficient strategies that aid in mitigating and controlling the carbon footprint left by the building. Starting with on-site materials, high-end technology and passive sustainable strategies such as water collection, certified materials, low energy consumption, cross ventilation, double skin façade system, double glazed glass, natural light, green interior and exterior areas, among others.
- Design Challenge
- A special analysis has been made to the immediate context and specifically on the Mitad del Mundo Monument. The building of UNASUR, has a horizontal type that does not exceed the height of that monument. Therefore, it is implanted in a lower level and even solves 75% of its program underground; including some of the building's significant areas such as the museum, library, etc. In this way the impact of a volume with a high requirement of areas is minimized.
- Project Duration
- The project is located next to the Mitad del Mundo monument, 14 km north of the capital city, Quito - Ecuador. The site of the proposal has been conceived as a continuous environment without barriers and open to the public, transmitting dimensional dynamic space to the mentioned complex. Likewise, the building is set back generating a large entrance plaza to the project, as a gesture of respect and contribution to the immediate environment.
- Operation Flow
- The project for UNASUR has not only analyzed the proposal within its limits. It is a socially inclusive proposal that generates open spaces for the community, as well as library and recreational areas. All of which encompasses a part of a much more ambitious integral project for the sector, including the re-empowerment of Manuel Cordova Galarza Avenue. Additionally, the reforestation of the Catequilla and Casitagua Hills, the new Boulevard of Equinoccial Avenue as an access to San Antonio de Pichincha, sports fields and finally, parks/public spaces. This involves a real and tangible catalyst for development for the sector and for tourism in the city.
- Research
- UNASUR is a worthy proposal with balanced combination of functionality, symbiosis of conceptual and pragmatic aspects in an iconic project with sober aesthetic.
- Inspiration
- The Project is located in Quito, Ecuador. Formally, the new building appears as a volume developed by three virtual axes. North-South the projection of the proposal with La Mitad del Mundo and the combination of these axes in 47 degrees, resulting from the sun or displacement of maximum declination north (23.5 degrees) and maximum declination south (23.5 degrees) in relation to the equator. The rest of the architectural approach is enrolled in the East-West axis.
- Image Credits
- @DiegoGuayasaminArquitectos
Colors of Unasur Institutional Headquarters
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