The recent completion of the Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, a project led by Juan Pablo Ortiz and TALLER Architects, marks a significant milestone in the realm of institutional architecture and sustainable development. This project not only stands as a testament to technical precision and artisanal mastery but also represents a new chapter in the history of the university’s Engineering Faculty.
Engineering Laboratories Technical Information
- Architects1-19: Juan Pablo Ortiz + TALLER Architects
- Location: Bogota, Colombia
- Topics: Steel-frame Construction
- Area: 14,089 m2
- Project Year: 2014 – 2024
- Photographs: © Alejandro Arango
The 14,089 m2 steel addition, constructed over 15 levels and 3 basements, rises 74 meters above the campus. It accommodates 94 laboratories for research and learning, 15 exclusive teaching spaces, and 700m2 of informal learning spaces for students.
– TALLER Architects
The Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Photographs
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.
The Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Plans
The Engineering Laboratories at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Image Gallery
About TALLER Architects
Founded in Bogotá in 2009 and expanding to Amsterdam in 2018, TALLER Architects, originally Taller 301, is a testament to global architectural innovation under the leadership of Julian Restrepo and Pablo Forero, with Sven Hoogerheide heading the Dutch office. With a team of 21 full-time staff, this multidisciplinary firm excels in research, architecture, and urban and landscape design, bridging Colombian vibrancy with Dutch precision. TALLER Architects’ expansion and diverse portfolio reflect a commitment to creating spaces that resonate culturally and environmentally.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Construction Management: Oficina de Construcciones PUJ
- Bim Coordination: Ekoobim S.A.S.
Acoustics: Acústica, Diseño y Tecnología S.A.S.
Climate Consultancy: Ecophi
Electrical Design: Sm&A Ltda. Ingeniería Eléctrica Y Mecánica
- Structural Design: Cni Ingenieros Consultores
Geotechnics: Luis Fernando Orozco – Ingenieros De Suelos
Hydrosanitary Design: Jorge Armando Granados
Hvac Design: Oscar Villamizar y Cia. Ltda. Ingenieros Consultores
- Vertical Circulation: Thyssenkrupp
- Specifications: Juan Pablo Ortíz y Taller Arquitectos
- Human Safety: Agr y Cia
- Lighting Design: Carmenza Henao Londoño
- Landscape Design: Groncol
- Interior Design: Juan Pablo Ortíz Y Taller Arquitectos
- Signage: Toquica Estudio
- Graphic Design: Toquica Estudio
- Construction Supervisor: Consultécnicos
- Construction Contractor: Hormigón Reforzado + Estahl Ingeniería
