MEC arquitectura has created the ‘chocolab’ integration center situated in the middle of a large cocoa farm in necoclí, colombia. the chocolab is a center for development and innovation whose main objective is to stimulate culture and knowledge exchange, promoting social transformation and sustainability. the project itself is an example of what is achievable with local materials and technologies that respond efficiently to the environment.

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

all images courtesy of MEC arquitectura

 

 

the building has been designed by MEC arquitectura, based on passive strategies that reduce energy consumption throughout its lifecycle. the project has given the community the opportunity to be actively involved in the construction process, educating locals on wood use and transformation. in this way, it seeks to give a new meaning to traditional regional construction and serves as a location that the community can embrace as its own. the main space is divisible into 3 so that different educational activities can occur in each one, and it can be opened to the surrounding exterior, allowing the building to articulate itself with the environment.

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

 

 

the site features many melina trees that provide shadow to the crops and it is surrounded by teak tree forests. even though there is abundance wood in the area, it is still perceived as a cheap and poor construction material. the design strategy is to use as much wood as possible, because not only is it sustainable and reduces the carbon footprint, but also because it encourages people to learn about its qualities and its potential. in addition, through this program, locals can learn about wood building techniques that can be applied in future projects. 

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

 

given that the building is located on a warm and humid environment, the design is based on passive strategies that help mitigate the weather without increasing energy use. aiming to provide natural ventilation, the architects used a low-tech façade system that is permeable, allowing and inducing air flow throughout the building. this same element guarantees the entry of sunlight which brightens the interior naturally, while ensuring a high thermal comfort. the water used in the building comes from treated rainfall water. the building was designed to be flexible and adaptable. the wooden façade is mobile and allows the building to respond to the users’ needs as well as the weather. 

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

 

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

 

MEC arquitectura builds sustainable passive 'chocolab' integration center in colombia

 

chocolab integration center rethinking local architecture sustainably 8

 

chocolab integration center rethinking local architecture sustainably 9

 

chocolab integration center rethinking local architecture sustainably 10

 

chocolab integration center rethinking local architecture sustainably 11

 

chocolab integration center rethinking local architecture sustainably 12

 

 

project info:

 

name: chocolab integration center
designer: MEC arquitectura
place: necoclí, colombia
design: manuela eblé c
building: manuela eblé c + jellyshot group
equipment: manuela eblé c + saida abdala + shafia abdala + tea maturana + jammer narvaez + diego sáenz + dario garcía

 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom