Designing a University is a huge challenge. It is an Educational Community that is hard to predict its growth and development.
The lot is located in the northern part of the city of Mérida and has 13.5 hectares, with very limited access as a front.
The project grants the possibility of growth as needed. Our work is based on a module that allows us to consider classrooms of different sizes and solve them structurally,also, proposed independent buildings, with different needs that could at any given time, interrelate with each other.
Thus, we proposed classrooms that we call typical; those spaces of classrooms that do not require specialized furniture and that could grow in time in an orderly manner and in a very subtle way.
On the other hand, independent units are proposed that are inserted in the set and that allow to solve particular needs. We call these spaces atypical classrooms and they can be developed as independent units that are solving very particular architectural programs concerning multiples careers, as well as highlighting their uniqueness.
We focused in the classroom spaces, which are the spaces most used by students as we did in all of the complementary spaces such as the Auditorium, Library, Multipurpose rooms, administrative offices, rectory, addresses, services, etc. that are incorporated. These spaces were intended to be accessible to all users, always highlighting the relationship of teachers and administrators, with students in a close and personal way.
The sports area is located on the east side taking advantage of the northeast and southeast winds for adequate ventilation of the whole.
All the classrooms are oriented north-south looking to capture the fresh winds of the northeast and a more uniform light towards the interior of the classrooms; the circulations develop in the south side, allowing to reduce the sunning towards the classrooms.
For the formal expression we looked for a language that allowed us to express the Marista´s charisms of simplicity, so we chose the use of a single material that is concrete, which in addition to reflecting its strong presence, simplicity and austerity, could provide spaces for security, sobriety and great expressiveness.
The system chosen to develop the project was prefabricated concrete elements that allowed us to be able to develop the different buildings with a similar language, by adapting to the needs that have been presented.
The slender concrete walls, strong, and majestic, are made in one piece, without coatings. Its prefabricated roofs are visible. Its presence determines the shape, covers the function and structures the building. We understood that the University is much more than classrooms by designing hallways, terraces, stairways and gardens. That would allow the use of these open spaces to develop different activities complementary to the training of students.
The University has covered and opened spaces, both coexist in an integral way and subordinate each other. The project also includes complementary spaces such as services, parking and the important vegetation that offers interesting shaded spaces. The University is a space for reflection, meeting, teaching learning, making friends and a building that could take these functions was an important challenge.
Material Used :
1. Prefabricated concrete - predecon.
