el equipo mazzanti provides colombian town with geometric mixed-use structure

el equipo mazzanti provides colombian town with geometric mixed-use structure
image © sergio gomez

bogotá-based el equipo mazzanti has shared their latest project located in the colombian town of marinilla. led by architect giancarlo mazzanti, the main goal of the scheme was to provide the community with a welcoming space for activities including planting, gardening, playing music and socializing. the concept supports the local paisa culture, allowing the residents to enjoy the surrounding natural environment at an elevated height. the construction of this mixed-used structure establishes the educational park as a place of meeting and learning; defined by using knowledge through the dialogue between people and the built and natural environments.  

the geometric form branches out to form different spaces with classroom volumes in the center
image © sergio gomez

‘the marinilla project more than a building is a public space itself. it is a system conceived on the idea of growth and expansion capable of providing spatial opportunities to accommodate the needs and wants of future users.’ – el equipo mazzanti

due to its capacity to work as a branch system, the project allows the construction of open geometric forms that can
to be easily replicated
image © sergio gomez

imagined as a permeable container that can be modified if need be, the abstract form is defined by a network of spaces weaved into a tunnel-like space that branches off into different wings. this branch system was developed to allow the open geometric shape to be easily replicated and connected to new branches.

the interior spaces of the project are designed to accommodate different educational and musical activities
image © rodrigo dávila

internally, the spaces accommodate different educational and musical activities by providing closed, opened, flexible and controlled environments. hammocks and areas for garden sit adjacent to the red polycarbonate volumes that host the more formal spaces such as the classrooms. this material distinction highlights them with the surroundings and creates a visual contrast between the interior learning spaces and the event exterior spaces. alongside these formal and more academic settings we generated a series of empty and open spaces intended to house sporadic events such as small concerts, lectures, exhibitions, theater performances and other activities that can bring together the people of marinilla.

the red polycarbonate volumes host the more formal spaces such as the classrooms
image © rodrigo dávila

a steel frame combined with a metal mesh invokes the feeling of being inside a bird cage and is conceived as a skeleton that manages to be present without being intrusive; by creating color uniformity and a relationship between the skin and its frame all along the building. furthermore the building’s hilltop location combined with the metal mesh gives the opportunity for continuous and direct views of the town and its surroundings and in turn, the building becomes an ever changing entity that transforms itself as part of the local community.

the structure uses a steel frame and metal mesh
image © rodrigo dávila

 a series of empty and open spaces intended to house sporadic events aim to bring people together
image © rodrigo dávila

both the facades are composed by prefabricated metal mesh panels allowing for a quick and simple assemblage
image © rodrigo dávila

the surround park was landscaped as well
image © rodrigo dávila

conceived as a transparent environment, this allows the landscape to extend and be seen from within
image © sergio gomez

the structure is based on top of a hill facing the town of marinilla
image © rodrigo dávila