Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Architects: ESARQUITECTURA Atelier, Roman Bauer Arquitectos
Area: 640 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: JAG studio, Juan Solano
Lead Architects: José Bauer, Augusto Román, Enrique Santillana

Unveiling IFEA’s New Headquarters

Nestled in Barranco, Peru, the new headquarters of IFEA (Instituto Francés de Estudios Andinos) stands as a testament to architectural innovation and preservation. Crafted by ESARQUITECTURA Atelier and Roman Bauer Arquitectos, this institute, spanning 640 square meters, redefines the blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The project, completed in 2022, beautifully captures the essence of its heritage-rich surroundings.

A Duo of Architectural Marvels

IFEA’s new headquarters comprises two distinct buildings, each playing a crucial role. The first is a monumental house, meticulously preserved through structural reinforcement, hosting administrative offices, a bookstore, and a cafeteria. The second, a new building on a rear plot, accommodates the library on the first floor and research offices on the second. The existing patio garden acts as a connecting threshold, extending the institute’s relationship with the street through a lateral access gallery.

Heritage in Focus: The Central Patio Garden

At the heart of the plot lies the old patio garden, adorned with a preserved palm tree, serving as the primary public meeting space. Connecting to the bookstore, cafeteria, and library, this space breathes life into the institute. The library, with its double-height reading room and flexible design, transforms into an academic events room using sliding panels. Its impressive collection of over 80,000 volumes finds a home in compact shelves within a protective concrete case.

Quincha and Wooden Frames: Architectural Elegance

Above the library’s base, an opaque quincha volume emerges, housing scientific research rooms on the second floor. Illuminated and ventilated by traditional zenithal skylights, this volume preserves the heritage house’s presence from the street. The upper structure is ingeniously supported by wooden frames of the quincha panels, creating an efficient and rational use of wood. The quincha, composed of intertwined caña brava, mud, and straw, showcases improved traditional construction techniques, merging insulation and thermal inertia.

Sustainable Innovation: Crafting with Purpose

The project stands out not only for its architectural prowess but also for its commitment to sustainability. Utilizing materials such as caña, mud, stone, and wood with minimal environmental impact, the construction demonstrates a harmonious coexistence with nature. Rigorous environmental sustainability criteria were employed, incorporating passive climatization mechanisms, reuse of spaces and materials, and a profound understanding of solar paths and local winds.

Awards and Recognition

The IFEA headquarters project received accolades at the XIX Biennial of Peruvian Architecture 2022, winning the National Hexagon Steel Award. Additionally, it earned finalist positions at the Quito Biennial 2022 and the Oscar Niemeyer Award 2022, further cementing its status as a beacon of architectural excellence and environmental responsibility.

In Barranco, where heritage meets innovation, IFEA’s headquarters stands as a living testament to the enduring legacy of thoughtful architecture and sustainable design.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *