University UNIS Fabrication Lab

As part of a university complex in Guatemala, this Fabrication Lab is conceived as a dynamic environment that supports students in their creative, experimental, and hands-on learning experiences. The project was developed in close collaboration with the University Council to ensure that the design responded to institutional standards, academic requirements, and the evolving needs of its students.

From the initial site analysis to the consideration of the university’s future expansion, the proposal was designed to reflect the creativity and innovation of the academic programs it houses while maintaining a contemporary architectural language capable of remaining relevant over time. The project carefully integrates existing utility infrastructure and adjacent buildings while establishing connections that will support the future growth of the campus. Exterior spaces complement the academic program, providing opportunities for students to interact with nature, gather, collaborate, and strengthen a sense of community.

The architectural expression is defined by a play between solid volumes, transparency, and translucent elements, creating varying degrees of openness, privacy, light, and visual comfort throughout the building. The same concept extends to the overall massing, where shifting planes, angular geometries, and dynamic details create a sense of movement around the entire structure.

This distinctive geometry establishes a deliberate contrast between the existing campus and its future development. Rather than competing with the surrounding architecture through color or materiality, the building adopts a predominantly neutral palette, allowing its form, transparency, and spatial character to define its identity. The result is a singular yet restrained architectural presence—one that stands out through its geometry while remaining adaptable to the continued evolution of the university campus.