CAF Headquarters Receives Award from Society of Architects of Uruguay
December 17, 2021
The modern building located on the grounds of the old Central Market stands out for respecting the original structure.
The headquarters of CAF—development bank of Latin America—South Region received the award for Best Project Developed in Uruguay in the period 2014–2020, in the “Tertiary” category, which acknowledged administrative, institutional and corporate buildings, in the second edition of Society of Architects of Uruguay’s Competition of Projects Developed.
The building located on the grounds of the former Central Market of Montevideo, opposite Torre Ejecutiva, became in late 2018 CAF’s operational hub for the South Region, as yet another example of the organization’s commitment to the nation.
The great challenge of the architectural project was the idea of reforming the space respecting the original structure of the old Central Market, which in the mid-nineteenth century was a symbol of a time of prosperity in Uruguay, adapting it and transforming it into a new multipurpose space with cultural purpose and services to the community.
The property comprises two stand-alone buildings. The first was developed based on sustainability guidelines, such as various actions for efficient energy and water savings, and houses CAF’s offices. This part of the building contains an auditorium for 209 people, meeting rooms, rooms for videoconferences and a cafeteria, among other service areas necessary for the proper functioning of such a structure.
In addition, the second building holds the Cinemateca film archive complex, which comprises three theaters with a combined capacity of 406 spectators and an area of 1,400 square meters, and the renovated, 250-square-meter Fun Fun Bar.
Both structures are connected by a public access urban courtyard ornamented with trees, sculptures and benches for the enjoyment of passers-by. It also has a parking garage for 300 vehicles.
François Borit, CAF representative in Uruguay, thanked the people who designed and constructed the building for their achievement, praising the work developed by architects Carlos Labat, Pierino Porta, Nicolás Scioscia and Fernando Romero, as well as the rest of the team, which also included Federico Rodríguez, Fiorella Galvalisi, Agustina Sanchez and Lucía Chirico.
He also highlighted the work of the team of advisors, which included the areas of engineering, thermal, fire safety, low voltage, electrical, sanitation, landscaping, acoustic and LEED, and construction company Stiler S.A.