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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. LUKSIC MINING CENTER (CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY) in Santiago de Chile, by Enrique Browne y Arquitectos AsociadosFebruary 23rd, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Enrique Browne y Arquitectos Asociados It was decided to build a Mining Centre in the Engineering department of the Catholic University of Chile, in the San Joaquin Campus. The site faces the wide Vicuña Mackenna Avenue where the elevated metro systems runs through. The initial assignment considered a volume of 6 floors with classrooms, professor rooms, auditorium and a small mining museum. We designed a type of constructed “rock” (option 1).  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne
 Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne However, the solution seemed insignificant given the large size of the avenue, the powerful presence of the elevated Metro station and the tall neighbouring buildings. We thus proposed another option: that the programme filter through the annexed buildings to a below ground level. As such, the areas above the buildings were given to the students as green spaces. Along the length there was a “crack” providing light and air to the programme.  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne This crack ended on a small hill that housed the museum and the larger auditorium (option 2). This proposal was attractive given that it increased the green areas, which is exactly the issue that has humanized and given coherence to the campus. Additionally, the green cover offered approximately 25% in energy savings.  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne However, the latter option was objected given that there was no “building” to evidence the new construction. We thus offered a third alternative that maintained the “crack” but replaced the hill with a long building with columns as a conclusion (option 3). This solution was approved.  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne Later there was a change in the authorities of the Department, which also changed the programs. Certain activities where replaced by an Auditorium and a Faculty Club. Thus, an option 4 was elaborated. This option was also buried under ground creating a “T”, leaving visible only a copper cylinder that serves as an access and visual reference of the complex.  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne The Centre incorporates a green roof cover and other items of energy efficiency. The offices and classrooms walls, which are next to the earth, generate a thermal ambience of high standards, with low cooling and heating energy demands.  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Nicolás Saieh y Enrique Browne  Image Courtesy © Enrique Browne y Arquitectos Asociados  Image Courtesy © Enrique Browne y Arquitectos Asociados  Image Courtesy © Enrique Browne y Arquitectos Asociados  Image Courtesy © Enrique Browne y Arquitectos Asociados
Tags: Chile, Santiago de Chile Categories: Center, Educational and Business Center |
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