The building proposed by Biselli Katchborian, which covers approximately 3,850 square meters, faced the challenge of preserving a centuries-old mango tree located in the center of the site. This feature dictated the U-shaped design of the project, which unfolds around, envelops, shelters, and focuses attention on the mango tree and the courtyard created around it.
New Rudolf Steiner University by Biselli Katchborian. Photograph by Nelson Kon.
During their research on architecture for Waldorf educational institutions, the architects observed an emphasis on craftsmanship and wood as essential materials for the project's identity. Given the relatively small size of the site, steel was chosen as the building's structural solution due to its ability to span large distances and avoid the need for columns on the ground floor, which was designed to be welcoming and minimize obstructions.
Biselli Katchborian used the wood in two distinct ways. First, in a laminated timber structure attached to the slab system, which supports the joinery facing the interior courtyard and becomes part of the building's furnishings. Second, through the visual application of organic wood patterns, at a microscopic scale, on the metal surfaces of the cladding and sunshades. "It's a reference to wood without actually using the material," notes architect Mario Biselli, managing partner of Biselli Katchborian.
The program is organized across a ground floor and two upper levels, each with six classrooms. The learning spaces are designed to be flexible, allowing for reorganization, an aspect also reflected in the circulation, which is designed to encourage interaction and socialization. A terrace on the second floor provides a space for socializing with a privileged view of the surrounding area.
Two panoramic glass-enclosed exterior elevators, offering views of the mango tree, connect the floors. A suspended block houses the administrative offices on the rooftop, and the library is located at the building's highest point, like a lighthouse, symbolizing the importance of and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge.
