DARP blends cluster of floating glass volumes into the lush botanical garden of bogotá

‘tropicario’ by DARP (de arquitectura y paisaje) is a cluster of irregular glass volumes that appear to float between the tall palm trees of bogotá’s josé celestino mutis botanical garden. the project consists of six individual modules, developed to house and exhibit colombia’s varied ecosystems while blending into the lush green surroundings. connected via walking pathways and bridges, the modules are clad in glass with different thicknesses and filters, which then rests on sloping concrete walls that form the base.images by mauricio carvajal

set within colombia’s biggest botanical garden, DARP’s ‘tropicario’ marks the main infrastructure of the garden’s new initiative to highlight the diverse ecosystems of the country. the project is developed to blend in with the tall palm trees of its site, and almost disappears between them to encourage a continuous walking flow for visitors. the six glass volumes are designed as floating spaces, each housing a different natural environment inside.

each module in ‘tropicario’ is developed according to the specific height, temperature and humidity requirements of each environment. together, they appear to float through an artificial wetland base, which rests on the footprint of an old structure that was in a high state of disrepair. the project’s implementation into the landscape includes the conservation of more than 70 existing wax palms that surround it, a species declared a national tree which is in danger of extinction and of very slow growth.

DARP prioritized the use of passive temperature control systems throughout the project. additionally, each structure is developed as a water receiver, topped with an oculus in the upper part that captures rainwater and leads it into lakes located inside the spaces. from there, the water passes to the perimeter artificial wetland, which works as a large reservoir for irrigation systems, creating a closed cycle. the construction of each volume consists of a sloping, reinforced concrete base, on top of which metal pillars are installed, forming structural ‘baskets’ that are then glad in glass.

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project info:

name: tropicario

architect: DARP (de arquitectura y paisaje)

location: josé celestino mutis botanical garden, bogotá, colombia

area: 3,800 sqm

team: jaime cabal, jorge buitrago, david carmona, jaime ng, teresa tognetti bottone, cristian camilo ríos, milena jaramillo, héctor ospina, mauricio álvarez, katherine agudelo

collaborators: melisa arango, carlos andrés palacio, sara olier, benjamín gómez, mateo agudelo, dg. adriana garcía