Human Sciences Building in Bucaramanga

About

The Human Sciences building of Universidad Industrial de Santander strategically stands at the main entrance into its central campus in Bucaramanga. With a built area of 14,585 m², its architecture is defined by a composition of concrete lines that express solidity and formal clarity. On the ground floor, the project develops a spatial operation that doubles the base plan and takes advantage of the terrain’s natural slope. This strategy allows for the creation of two ‘first floors’ that function as extensions of the university's public space, with open areas for the community at large to use. On the lower level, the building is integrated with the landscape through an artificial topography formed by continuous planes and dunes. These house the astronomical observatory's visitor center, and at the same time become mounds for recreational and informal use by students. The building stretches in a north-south direction and is organized from a tower composed of longitudinal concrete plates, staggered in varying ways to control direct exposure to the sun. Eaves, perimeter walkways, and balconies expand the learning spaces and allow for large windows giving distant views, ensuring environmental comfort. Some horizontal slabs bend to a vertical to reinforce solar protection.