Parque Cultural para el Arte Integral
Consultants: Universidad de San Buenaventura Cali
Project: Cultural Architecture
Software: Revit, Lumion, Photoshop, Illustrator
The Concept: Shelter and Intrigue
The project is located at a strategic hub in Cali, in the 3 de Julio neighborhood, adjacent to the Jorge Garcés Borrero Departmental Library. The fundamental premise is the architectural repurposing of the former Emcali telephone substation to transform an urban void into an arts complex based on sustainability and social integration. The design emerges as a “protest” against the area’s lack of safety and pedestrian isolation, creating a sheltered space that connects to the existing library via a central courtyard. The design strategy relies on intrigue: a building that does not fully reveal itself to the street, but rather draws pedestrians in through a fragmented volumetry that hints at interior activities without fully revealing them from the outside. Molecular Architecture and Tectonic Dialogue
The complex is organized around a molecular architecture, in which each volume possesses structural autonomy yet integrates into a functional whole via an elevated platform. This system of bridges and terraces facilitates inclusive, horizontal circulation, unifying the program’s various spaces—from dance and music studios to exhibition halls—into a single spatial entity. The materiality reinforces this dialogue between eras: Conservation: The original Muñeca stone façade is retained on the renovated building, preserving a 20-meter mural by master artist Hernando Tejada, a key piece of local modern heritage. Contemporaneity: The new volumes are constructed in GRC concrete, selected for its durability, low maintenance requirements, and chromatic harmony with the surroundings.
Climate Adaptation Strategies
The building functions as a passive bioclimatic system: Porosity and Wind: Molecular fragmentation and the central courtyard (“open space”) act as catalysts for natural ventilation, harnessing northwest winds to regulate humidity. Solar Control: An envelope with thermal chambers and protective elements rotated according to the east-west orientation is implemented, reducing interior heat gain. Inertia and Vegetation: The green terraces and strategic attachment to the library increase thermal inertia, while the vegetation acts as a solar protection filter and temperature regulator. Comprehensive Sustainability
In addition to passive measures, the project incorporates active systems: solar panels on skylights that cover 30% of the energy demand and a rainwater harvesting system for the maintenance of green spaces, reaffirming the park’s commitment to sustainable development in the region.
