Caracas, Venezuela

New Headquarters of the CAF

The New Headquarters of the CAF
Designing the new headquarters of the CAF is an important occasion for thinking of and helping to build an imaginary city, a Caracas for the future.
We believe that the main challenge is to design a productive and sustainable model for the occupation of urban land in which CAF and the City benefit from each other. This principle guided us in our proposal.

Urban concept
The extension of Altamira Square is the main gesture of the CAF on the new site, proposing a new dimension to this urban space that is certainly one of the emblematic places of Caracas.
The key idea of the project is to reinforce the importance of this public space as a place of inclusion, shared by the passers-by, the terminals of the Metrobus, the subway, cultural activities and the headquarters of the CAF, helping to create an integrating urban image.
The proposed volume takes into account the morphological model that is characteristic for the surrounding area; yet it has the necessary strength to establish itself as a new local landmark.

The New Square
While Altamira Square (Francia Norte Square), with its classic design, serves as a place for contemplation, the new square, more densely wooded, will be a place to relax under the tree tops.
We tried to create environments of different characteristics along this axis of green spaces.
The vegetation, located along the eastern and western limits of the site, helps to protect the square to a certain degree from the heavy traffic on the Avenues Sur and Del Avila.

The complex of the CAF
This same square, now expanded, is divided into two levels below ground that are accessible via escalators located in an open courtyard.
The first underground level is an open and covered square which serves as a great mediator: It creates the connection from the public square, located at street level, to the cultural, semi-private spaces and the reception in the private part of the program. At this level, there is a public pedestrian connection running through the whole complex, from the subway station to Jose Felix Sosa street.
The private program of the CAF is organized within a large volume: It is a unique building, defined by a large envelope that creates a micro-climate where floor slabs and gardens are stacked on top of each other.
This way versatile working spaces are created, spaces to meet and to contemplate the view of the city or the Ávila National Park, a permanent reference in the surroundings. The transition between the collective and private spaces is regulated by the central entrance hall and reception, located at the level of the covered square.

The building
The building was designed as an infrastructure: a stack of large equipped floor slabs that work as a flexible support for the regular activities of the bank as well as for other possible activities, considering the ever changing dynamics of work.
As an integral part of its design, the new CAF has the ability to adapt itself to the development of activities and changes in the city.
The outer skin acts as a climate regulator that allows the entry of light in a moderate and filtered way. At the same time, it gives the building a lighter appearance, softening its visual impact on the city.
The structural scheme, with a central block providing stability, is quite simple and flexible so that light and easy-to-build constructive systems can be used.

Europaconcorsi Beta

New Headquarters of the CAF