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Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo by Diego Guayasamin

Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo by Diego Guayasamin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ezokwakha, Izakhiwo Nezinhlaka Competition Category.


IplatinamuEzokwakha· 2021

Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo

by Diego Guayasamin

Client: Unasur

Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award Winner in Ezokwakha Category

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The Design

About Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo

I-Unasur yisakhiwo sekomkhulu lesikhungo esitholakala eduze kwesikhumbuzo saseMitad del Mundo, enyakatho yeQuito, e-Ecuador. Cishe amaphesenti angama-75 ohlelo lwesakhiwo abekwe ngaphansi komhlaba, ukuze umthamo wesakhiwo uhlale phansi kunesikhumbuzo esiseduze. Umgogodla oqinile kakhonkolo oqiniswe ngensimbi usekela ama-truss amabili amakhulu ensimbi akha i-beam okuhlaleka kuyo enokweleka kwamamitha angama-56 ngaphandle kokusekelwa. Izinto zokwakha zihlanganisa ukhonkolo, insimbi, idwala elivela endaweni yokumbiwa kwamatshe ekhona endaweni yokwakha kanye nengilazi emnyama enezingqimba ezimbili. Ukuqoqwa kwamanzi, ukungena komoya nhlangothi zombili kanye nokukhanya kwemvelo kunciphisa ukusetshenziswa kwamandla. Izindawo ezivulekile ezizungeze isakhiwo ngezomphakathi.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award

Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo iwinile uMklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile kakhulu okunikezwa imiklamo eyiqiniso eyingqayizivele, ebukekayo nenobukhosi. Abawinile bePlatinamu yizimangaliso zokudalwa, ubufakazi bemingcele yobuhlakani bokudala, futhi babonisa ubungcweti nobuhlakani obungenakuqhathaniswa babaklami babo. Le miklamo ilindeleke ukuba ibe yimisebenzi edume kakhulu echaza ubuhle besikhathi, enikela ekuhlalakahleni komphakathi futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo ibonisa izinga elingaphezu kwejwayelekile lobuhle futhi ngokungangabazeki yenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono ngezimfanelo zayo eziluthandwa nezibalulekile. Unasur Ikomkhulu Lesikhungo ngumsebenzi owinile uMklomelo Weplatinamu we-A' Design Award ovusa izifiso, ukhuthaza, ujabulisa futhi udale injabulo enkulu.

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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