Project: The Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Architects: Juan Pablo Ortiz + TALLER Architects
Topics: Steel-frame Construction
Area: 14,089 m2
Project Year: 2014 – 2024
Photographs: Alejandro Arango
The Challenge: Integrating Past and Present
The project emerged from a private competition held in 2014 with a clear mandate: to merge an existing brick building from the late 1980s with a striking new steel tower. Set at an altitude of 2,600 meters in the scenic Andes foothills; the complex had to meet high standards of sustainability and technical ingenuity.
Retrofitting with Purpose
The focus was on retrofitting the 7,294 m² existing brick structure to minimize embodied carbon, conserve resources, and extend its lifespan, thus bringing it up to contemporary standards. This approach not only enhanced the building’s energy efficiency but also transformed it into a hub for faculty collaboration and community engagement.
The project’s location, with its narrow confines and limited access, posed significant challenges. This led to a preference for prefabrication and on-site assembly, ensuring efficient construction with minimal environmental impact.
Bridging Spaces: The Atrium
A standout element is The Atrium, a communal space that physically and symbolically connects the old and the new. It acts as a vibrant nexus for the Engineering Faculty, integrating vertical gardens on the inner brick façade that provide acoustic, thermal, and aesthetic benefits.
Rising 74 meters high, the new 14,089 m² steel addition spreads across 15 levels and 3 basements. It houses 94 state-of-the-art laboratories, 15 teaching spaces, and 700m² of informal learning areas. Transparent labs encourage interdisciplinary engagement, reflecting the diverse departments housed within: Civil, Electronic, Industrial, and Systems Engineering.
Architectural Inspiration and Innovation
Drawing from two steel-centric construction archetypes – the open-plan nave and the structural façade tower – the design brilliantly amalgamates these concepts. The Atrium reflects the open-plan, while the tower embodies the structural tube steel frame, merging façade and structure.
The building’s envelope, featuring low-e glazing, optimizes energy efficiency and provides panoramic views of the landscape. A mechanical floor mid-height frees the roof for a communal terrace, a thoughtful addition to the urban fabric of Bogotá.
A Monument to Precision
The construction process saw 1,880 tons of structural steel sheets processed in a controlled environment, leading to a unique brass-colored façade formed by bespoke hollow-section columns.
The Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá are more than a building; they are a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development in the heart of Colombia.
