Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor by Diego Guayasamin

Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor by Diego Guayasamin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Platina in Architectuur, Gebouwen en Constructieontwerp Competition Category.

PlatinaArchitectuur· 2021

Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor

by Diego Guayasamin

Client: Unasur

A' Design Award in Platina Winner in Architectuur Category

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The Design

About Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor

Unasur is een institutioneel hoofdkantoorgebouw gelegen naast het Mitad del Mundo-monument, ten noorden van Quito, Ecuador. Ongeveer 75 procent van het programma is ondergronds geplaatst, zodat het volume lager blijft dan het nabijgelegen monument. Een massieve kern van gewapend beton draagt twee grote metalen vakwerkliggers die samen een bewoonbare balk vormen met een vrijdragende overkraging van 56 meter zonder ondersteuning. De gebruikte materialen zijn beton, staal, natuursteen uit een steengroeve op het terrein en donker dubbelglas. Wateropvang, dwarsventilatie en natuurlijk licht verminderen het energieverbruik. De open ruimtes rondom het gebouw zijn openbaar.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Platina

Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Platina, een uiterst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan werkelijk uitzonderlijke, elegante en magnifieke ontwerpen. De winnaars in Platina zijn wonderen van creatie, getuigenissen van de grenzen van intellectuele creativiteit en tonen het ongeëvenaarde professionalisme en genie van hun ontwerpers. Van deze ontwerpen wordt verwacht dat zij de meest vermaarde werken zijn die de esthetiek van een tijdperk bepalen, bijdragen aan het welzijn van de samenleving en de grenzen van kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie verleggen. Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor toont een transcendent niveau van uitmuntendheid en maakt de wereld ongetwijfeld een betere plek met zijn voordelige en waardevolle kenmerken. Unasur Institutioneel Hoofdkantoor is een werk dat de A' Design Award in Platina heeft gewonnen en dat verlangens oproept, inspireert, verrukt en grote vreugde doet ontvlammen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
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.
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.
Team Members: Diego Guayasamin, Arch.
Pablo Espinoza, Arch.
Alejandro Garcia, Arch.
Image Credits: @DiegoGuayasaminArquitectos