PUCPR ARECIBO

ARCHITECT

RCMDO ARQUITECTOS

URBANA: ARQUITECTURA /DISEÑO

The intention of this project was to modernize and expand the Arecibo Campus of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (P.U.C.P.R.) facilities. The scope of work included; 1). providing modern science classrooms and laboratories, 2). retrofitting the existing Science and Mathematics building to comply with current life safety regulations, construction codes, and seismic resistance codes 3). providing areas that fomented collaboration and interaction between students and professors. 

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The intervention focuses on transforming the existing Science and Mathematics Building by incorporating a Student Center and a Faculty Room in the first floor and adding a third floor that houses several science classrooms and laboratories. By developing a light steel canopy that transfers most of its weight directly to the ground, the intervention creates a third floor to the existing building without compromising its seismic resistance with additional loads. This solution conveys a modern architectural language that showcases current construction technology through the expression of its materials and structural elements; underlining the fact that this is a place dedicated to the understanding of the world through the knowledge of science and mathematics. 

The design also incorporates several sustainable strategies such as: 1). highly efficient building envelope with an extremely high insulation that ensures low cooling loads, 2). Modular VRF mechanical system that enables individualized comfort control on each room while ensuring low energy consumption. 3). photovoltaic panels providing 150 kw of clean power, 4). north facing skylights providing enough natural illumination to render the use of electrical lamps unnecessary during the day.

The project was designed and planned to allow for construction to progress without affecting any of the University’s academic activities.

LUIS CRUZ

CARLOS CRUZ