heatherwick studio plans bogotá school with basket-woven facade

architecture Inspired by bogotá’s Local Craftsmanship

Heatherwick Studio has been chosen to create a design school and makers’ space for Universidad Ean in Colombia, a leading university with a focus on sustainability. The new building will be located on the university’s existing campus in central Bogotá’s Calle 72, one of the city’s main streets. The seven-story structure will be recognized at once by its unique facade made up of colorful, crafted columns and open terraces. This playful architecture draws inspiration from Werregue basketry, a traditional weaving technique specific to Colombia’s Wounaan indigenous community. This project will stand as Heatherwick Studio’s first building in South America, with work expected to begin in 2025.

construction will begin in 2025, marking the studio’s first project in South America | visualizations © Estudio Nod

heatherwick studio’s biophilic Design strategies

The new building by Heatherwick Studio is intended to become a central hub for the campus, complementing the existing historical structures and providing a much-needed public space for Bogotá, Colombia. The architects are also developing innovative facade materials to withstand Bogotá’s high altitude and intense sunlight, ensuring the building’s longevity. ‘Creativity is essential to Bogotá,’ said Eliot Postma, group leader and partner at Heatherwick Studio. ‘It’s everywhere you look. We want students to feel a sense of pride in their campus even before they enter the building. The public square in front serves as a welcoming communal oasis amidst the busy urban environment.’

the building will feature a colorful facade inspired by werregue basketry, an indigenous Colombian craft

According to the team at Heatherwick Studio, Colombia boasts the world’s second-highest level of biodiversity, and Bogotá is a recognized leader in sustainable development. Universidad EAN aims to celebrate this by incorporating the cloud forest that surrounds the city into the new building’s design. The architects’ biophilic design will feature local plant species on the open terraces, bringing nature into the city and fulfilling the city’s pledges as a signatory to the C40 Urban Nature Declaration.

the design incorporates open terraces and materials able to withstand Bogotá’s high altitude and sunlight