OSPA wins national competition for UFCSPA's campus igara

OSPA wins national competition for UFCSPA’s campus igara
all images courtesy of OSPA arquitetura e urbanismo

in an urban context still growing, ‘campus igara’ of UFCSPA by OSPA arquitetura e urbanismo emerges as a potential articulating element of both spatial and human relationships that surrounds it. the facility appears as a square, fluid and permeable, in contrast to the volumetric density that the easiest programmatic solution suggests. 

aerial view

approaching the constraints of the plot, the architects saw two possibilities of connection with the city, but ‘the concepts of ‘front vs back’ and ‘public vs services’ were never an option.‘ instead, a longitudinal axis, accessible and inviting, connects the two faces of the site. they are equally necessary to the composition of the block, despite the hierarchical distinction in relation to the surrounding context affected by the city’s housing policy.

view of an entry from one side

the brief requirements develop within the natural extension of the sidewalk. the open space places the campus’ functions far beyond the academic activities. the independent access, with corresponding controls for various uses, also encourages a diversity of students. only two high buildings house the university, while the rest occupies the square.

interior of a sports facility

the stages of development can often be equivalent to the career of a student at the institution. possibly excluding some architects and engineers, no one wants to study at a construction site. the two sides of the area allow the equation to be solved in a controlled way. the second phase of expansion, through the proposed zoning, occurs with direct access from the street, avoiding a conflict of flows with the everyday routines of the institution. the work is composed of a mixed structural system of steel and concrete in its best features: tension and compression. this not only reduces waste and spendings, but also shortens the building time.

within the landscape

good architecture as itself presupposes a proper solution of environmental variables, as well as their complementary systems. the facilities are oriented to receive lower thermal load, proper ventilation, and lighting of indoor sports arenas. in addition, the internal flows of the campus have been simplified through activities on the street level and inviting staircases that bring navigate vertically, as opposed to using elevators. this sectional variation not provides goes beyond a technical degree of expertise, but also allows for a strong dialogue between spaces to increase social activity and mold personalities.

formal diagrams

programmatic distribution

underground floor plan 

ground floor plan

third floor plan

elevations and sections

elevations and sections

project info:

location: canoas, brazil
lot area: 24,600 m2
gross floor area: 26,385 m2
project date: august 2014
client: universidade federal de ciencias da saude de porta alegre – UFCSPA
author: OSPA arquitetura e urbanismo
team: carolina souza pinto, lucas obino, cristiano selbach carneiro, frnaco miotto, manoela obino, aline tais comiran, ellen renata bernardi, augusto tumelero, matheus lorenzet
consultants: P790 engenharias and STM engenheiros associados

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