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Unasur Institucionalno sedište by Diego Guayasamin

Unasur Institucionalno sedište by Diego Guayasamin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Платинаста награда A' Design Award in Дизајн архитектуре, зграда и конструкција Competition Category.


ПлатинастаАрхитектура· 2021

Unasur Institucionalno sedište

by Diego Guayasamin

Client: Unasur

Платинаста награда A' Design Award Winner in Архитектура Category

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The Design

About Unasur Institucionalno sedište

Unasur je zgrada institucionalnog sedišta koja se nalazi pored spomenika Mitad del Mundo, severno od Kita u Ekvadoru. Oko 75 procenata programa smešteno je pod zemljom, tako da volumen ostaje niži od obližnjeg spomenika. Masivno jezgro od armiranog betona nosi dve velike metalne rešetkaste nosače koji formiraju nastanjivu gredu sa konzolom od 56 metara bez oslonca. Materijali uključuju beton, čelik, kamen iz kamenoloma na samoj lokaciji i dvostruko zastakljeno tamno staklo. Prikupljanje vode, poprečna ventilacija i prirodno osvetljenje smanjuju potrošnju energije. Otvorene površine oko zgrade su javne.

The Recognition

About the Платинаста награда A' Design Award

Unasur Institucionalno sedište је добитник Платинасте награде A' Design Award, изузетно престижног признања које се додељује заиста изузетним, елегантним и величанственим дизајнима. Добитници Платинасте награде чуда су стварања, сведоци граница интелектуалне креативности, и показују ненадмашан професионализам и геније својих дизајнера. Очекује се да ови дизајни буду најпознатији радови који дефинишу естетику једне епохе, доприносе добробити друштва и померају границе уметности, науке, дизајна и технологије. Unasur Institucionalno sedište показује трансцендентан ниво изврсности и без сумње чини свет бољим местом својим корисним и вредним особинама. Unasur Institucionalno sedište је рад награђен Платинастом наградом A' Design Award који буди жеље, инспирише, узбуђује, одушевљава и изазива велику радост.

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

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