Siete 9

Location Bogotá - Colombia

Use Oficina

Year 2019

Bogotá is not characterized by the reuse of buildings unless they are protected by physical or intangible values. 79 is one of those few cases where there is an attempt to recycle a building to change its destiny. Initially designed as an office building, the original structure had to be structurally reinforced to meet current regulations and thus intervene in the existing open floors to create 10 apartment units.

 

With the introduction of natural light entrances and under the concept of reusing valuable materials, 79 stands as an example that the act of restoration can, in some cases, be more compelling than starting from scratch. The building bears witness to the passage of time, and the project aims to highlight that condition, with the goal of imparting to the inhabitant the sensation that this project has always been there.

 

Courtyard

The exercise of recycling a building must be accompanied by a clear intention to add additional value to the spaces that were originally designed.

 

Allowing natural light to enter those areas that were previously intended for another use is a fundamental strategy for revitalizing the building. Originally, 79 had a semi-basement level exclusively oriented towards parking spaces, therefore its habitability conditions were not aimed at permanence but purely functional purposes.

 

We decided to open up the layout of Level 1, which allowed for the creation of a courtyard that bathes the semi-basement level in natural light, creating a sense of transversality in this new rear garden that the building acquires.

Credits

  • Design

    Escalar Veinte 18

  • Construction

    Escalar Veinte 18

  • Archviz

    Escalar Veinte 18