Unity

Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, Tucumán

Project idea

INSPIRATION and FORM
The Embassy complex is designed as a representation of the different periods of the Czech Republics history. The design of the complex inspired by the city blocks of Prague and its famous Old Town Square. As we approach the complex, we see various structural styles, each according to their use. The embassy building intended for international use is rustic and firm. It is made of reinforced concrete, evoking the post war period. Meanwhile, on another side, the residential area is constructed with prefabricated materials, metal columns and dry technology typical of the modernity of the new Czeck Republic.
A ribbon of folded mesh constructed of Cor-Ten Steel connects the various blocks giving the appearance of unity and spatial fluency, unifying the different architectonic styles. The oxidized reddish-orange steel, environmentally friendly, not requiring painting or maintenance, symbolizes the Ethiopian clay soils on which the embassy is located, colors found in its historic architecture.
The point of contact between concrete and metal symbolizes coexistence and dialogue of the old with the new, the grey and the red, what lasts and what changed.
The embassy as a whole is fully understood once inside, as we stand in the middle of the square and observe our surroundings. The space is conceived as the squares from the middle ages and resembles the main square of Prague.

Project description

ENTRANCE
A large cube, heavy and powerful emphasizes the main access, like ¨flying¨ giving a feeling of freedom, raised off the ground floor which, in turn, seems lighter, symbolizes power and modernity. Evokes surprise and intrigue to the spectator.

FUNCTION

The embassy complex is developed around a main courtyard-square, enclosed by the surrounding builgings, and a secondary recreational playground. The rooms with the highest hierarchy, important for meetings, parties or international events face the main courtyard , while residential homes close their facades to it and open towards private patios and recreational areas.

Technical information

In this construction dry and wet technologies are used, traditional and contemporary.
The embassy building has two levels. The lower level contains the entrances halls (representative and private for employees), the representative spaces, etc. The top level of the embassy is where the offices are located (private floor). This building shows more hierarchy and is oriented advantageously towards the south side. It is constructed of reinforced concrete, wet technology and traditional technology, covered with perforated Cor-Ten Steel, which is attached to the main reinforced concrete structure.
A small piece of land is left green for the city in front of the main access, as a huge atrium allowing a vantage point for contemplating the embassy.
The residence buildings are located at the north and eastside for the Czech workers and ambassador respectively. The remaining block belonging to local workers is found on the northwest side, in a differentiated volum linked by outer Cor-Ten steel skin. These are constructed completely in dry with prefabricated elements mostly metallic, emphasizing functional distinction by the means of using wet construccion for public and dry for private.