ATORECA BUILDING

Location: Valparaíso Chile Client: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Architects: Enrique Browne and Tomas Swett Collaborators: Gonzalo de la Parra, Alejandro Amstrong and Gabriel Diaz Date: 2015

Valparaiso, about 120 kms. Santiago, is the traditional port of Chile. Its central area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Astoreca building is located within this area, in the founding harbor area on land reclaimed from the sea. The old building has 5 floors underground and occupies a small apple. Its original destination was to lease apartments, which were eventually tugurizando. A shipping company bought the building to install headquarters. The architectural operation was based on three main criteria: 1. Restore the facade to its original state. This requires a careful historical study and stratigraphic was performed to determine the original color. Besides the windows and had to be restored ornamental details were classified. 2. To value the materiality and inner construction system. The materiality of the building which has withstood three earthquakes, is basically peripheral thick walls of brick and wood interior partitions. All these noble materials were hidden behind plaster and paint that prevented appreciate, let alone visualize the craft construction system originally used. With the intervention would be left in sight. 3. Replace the narrow and ineffective pits light for illuminating the interior of a large central atrium lit from above. To access this simulated natural light. This large atrium crossed by bridges, leaves appreciate the constructive and circulation system of the building, creating a sense of teamwork among users.