Edificio Vitra

EDIFICIO VITRA

Sebastián Larroulet + Arturo López + Francisco Vergara A.

Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona

ARCHITECTS
Arturo López, Francisco Vergara A., Sebastián Larroulet

COLLABORATORS
Carolina Valenzuela

MANUFACTURERS
Trespa

PHOTOGRAPHS
Cristian Brahona

AREA
8286 M²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Santiago, Chile

CATEGORY
Offices

Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona
Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona

Text description provided by 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.

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.

Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona
Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara
Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara

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.

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.

Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara
Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona

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.

Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona
Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara

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.


Edificio Vitra
© Cristian Brahona
Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara
Edificio Vitra
Courtesy of Sebastián Larroulet, Arturo López, Francisco Vergara


Edificio Vitra
West Elevation
Edificio Vitra
South Elevation
Edificio Vitra
North Elevation
Edificio Vitra
East Elevation


Edificio Vitra
Basament Floor Plan
Edificio Vitra
First Floor Plan
Edificio Vitra
Floor Plan