Edificio Vitra / Sebastián Larroulet + Arturo López + Francisco Vergara A.

Architects: Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara A.
Location: Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
Area: 8286.0 sqm
Year: 2013
Photographs: Cristian Brahona, Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara

Collaborators: Carolina Valenzuela

From the architect. The commission consisted of a “class B” office building. With a limited budget the best possible performance was required, from a technical and architectural point of view. The site allowed a rectangular ground plan and similar dimensions to the built volumes on the sector, with 6 stories height plus basement floor. The developers wanted to differentiate the product from the existing types, to be able to offer a special item of contemporary nature.

Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara

As many office buildings it was conceived from the basic idea of a glass box, to achieve the best views and good penetration of natural light to the interiors. At the same time, the conditions of the site forced to go beyond that formal abstraction.

The bottom of the site has good views towards the main hill of the city, Cerro San Cristobal, and its side to the street, a marked sunset exposure. This situation generated the elemental concepts. The main operation of the project that modeled the glass box, is the displacement of the vertical circulation nucleus towards the west of the plan perimeter. In this way it was possible to generate completely clear open plans with panoramic views towards the hills. In addition, the building was given passive solar protection, built from its own structure.

The circulations core is exposed as protagonist of the main façade. Through the panoramic elevators, halls and access to the offices on every floor look outwards and receive natural light. The staircase, protected by a lattice, become living semi-outdoor space and works as balconies to the street. The facade is complemented by precast concrete panels, lined up to protect the offices interiors from peak sun hours.