Nationwide Pavilion of Biodiversity / Fernanda Ahumada + FREE
Textual content description offered by the architects. The Nationwide Pavilion of Biodiversity is a brand new house for UNAM, situated within the cultural hall of Ciudad Universitaria. The venture goals to develop and protect the archive of the Institute of Biology, in addition to to create thematic laboratories for the scientific examine of the biggest assortment of lifeless species in Latin America.
The venture responds from totally different views. Conceptually, the architectural design proposes a radial scheme that arises from the interpretation of the Tree of Life and the concept each dwelling being is related. The steps, situated within the heart of the constructing, characterize the double helix of DNA, the molecule that accommodates the genetic data of all dwelling beings and from which every species on the planet emerges.
Architecturally, the staircase situated on the epicenter of the constructing is the ingredient that connects the totally different areas of the pavilion. From it, the paths result in the exhibition rooms, the archive, and the laboratories, forming a radial format that represents the infinite potentialities of biodiversity. By way of supplies, the glass facade with aluminum and the bottom fabricated from native stone permits for a direct reference to the positioning.
The pavilion, with over eleven thousand sq. meters of building, has exhibition rooms, multimedia rooms, a digital library, workplaces, storage areas, and laboratories, all distributed on three ranges with a radial association.
Within the plan, every degree has three rings. The primary ring is meant for the general public program and begins from the middle with vertical circulation and everlasting exhibitions. The following ring is for personal use and homes the collections. The final ring, situated on the sting of the facade, corresponds to the areas for specialised session, laboratories, and curatorial workplaces.
This combination of areas on every flooring permits for interplay between momentary and everlasting customers of the constructing. The round flooring plan was leveraged to realize two predominant goals: on one hand, to unite all areas by way of a single vertical core, and alternatively, to create panoramic views of the 360-degree pure panorama by way of a facade that opens and closes in a wave-like kind based on the precise wants of this system.
One of many main challenges was the distribution of the archives of the institute’s 4 collections: mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds, as a result of giant variety of sq. meters that wanted to be allotted. Every assortment was strategically situated to handle climatic, storage, and future progress wants.
For its correct functioning, there are high-density compactors for storage, that are positioned on metallic rails that transfer to retailer the biggest variety of species within the smallest attainable house. As well as, we proposed an orthogonal construction inside the round flooring plan with the intention to optimize storage areas and permit for future progress.
The constructing is accessed from a stepped esplanade that seeks to accommodate guests and connects with the cultural hall. On this flooring, the biggest exhibition space and three of the 4 collections are situated together with the laboratories. The primary degree is characterised by being essentially the most enclosed based on technical necessities; right here, one of many collections, the molecular biology laboratory, the auditorium, and the executive workplaces are situated.
Lastly, the decrease degree responds to the unevenness of the terrain and accommodates essentially the most publicly used areas, equivalent to the shop, the cafeteria, and the digital library. By finding these areas right here, direct views of the quarry are taken benefit of, whereas making a peaceable and introspective surroundings. As well as, the privileged location of the positioning, immersed within the college cultural hall, added areas for dissemination of this system, with the goal of arousing guests’ curiosity in scientific careers.
Concerning its facades, the decrease degree capabilities as a showcase of the endemic biodiversity by instantly integrating views into the pure house surrounding the constructing. The 2 higher ranges have a double facade of glass and perforated aluminum that permit for managed views, and their folding responds to the lighting and air flow wants of the inside areas.
The result’s a facade shaped by 1000’s of 30×20 cm aluminum modules that transfer with the wind, a motion generated by the weather conditions of the positioning and alluding to its significance within the evolution and permanence of biodiversity, making a energetic facade.
The bottom of the constructing is constructed with a quarry, a volcanic stone that’s the most attribute ingredient of the native biodiversity, ensuing from the explosion of Xitle that gave the identify to the Pedregal space the place Ciudad Universitaria is situated. It’s price noting that the identical stone that was faraway from the inspiration was used for the development of those partitions.
The venture may be summarized as a fusion of private and non-private areas, the place momentary customers can coexist with the displays, but in addition with the positioning, thus arousing curiosity about every part behind the examine and conservation of species.
