Recicla USACH

Additional Info

Award Winner : ATCO Sabinco

Architectural Excellence : To raise awareness about sustainability, the University of Santiago de Chile decided to practice what it preaches with its “recycled” education centre. Developed together with their architecture department, this two-story university was built using 16 reused 40’ containers and reclaimed wood and steel from demolitions, which are stacked and placed on railroad tracks. Except for the flat roof that was mounted on site, all components were done at the ATCO Sabinco factory. Located in the centre of the campus, the new building had to be built with minimal disruption to the surrounding areas. The building consists of three classrooms and two study rooms (one can be turned into an outdoor theatre), plus open-air walkways and straight staircases with intermediate landing. To give the building a modern look and to maximize daylight, double-glazed windows were used as walls, replacing the containers’ steel walls, which allowed daylight into the classrooms until 9 p.m. in the summer.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : The Recicla building is extremely cost effective in the way that all materials used were recycled or reclaimed. The 16 shipping containers used were all acquired secondhand, and hardwood and steel were recovered from demolished old buildings. Most of the work was done offsite, so time required on site was short. Ventilation from the use of open and outdoor space reduced air conditioning costs, and the use of floor-to-ceiling windows allowed ample daylight in, reducing the need for artificial lighting and its associated costs.

Design Firm Name : Universidad de Santiago (USACH)

Installer Firm Name : ATCO Sabinco

Occupied Date : 10/3/2016

Owner Firm Name : Universidad de Santiago (USACH)

Production Start Date : 3/1/2016

Project Location City : Santiago

Project Location State Name : Chile

Technical Innovation : With the exception of mounting the roof on site, all other materials were manufactured offsite at ATCO Sabinco factory, taking full advantage of offsite construction. This is first container building at USACH, and it was completed with all recycled materials: secondhand shipping containers, as well as steel and wood from demolished buildings. One of its most prominent features is the double-glazed windows, which replaced the containers’ steel walls. Structural engineering analysis was needed to ensure that the glass can support not just the containers, also the roof of the building. Wood floors of the containers were polished in order to give the classrooms a unique look.

Total Square Feet : 8000

Green Building Description : Because of the multiple open spaces and wide doors, and the ventilation created from them, air quality and comfort is much better than that of enclosed spaces. Add to that the double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows that have the capability to let in daylight until 9 p.m. in the summertime, making the Recicla extremely energy saving. Using 100 per cent secondhand shipping containers and reclaimed wood and steel also mean that there’s less environmental impact. The short time onsite further reduced disruption to surroundings.

Category : Permanent: Education: any square footage