An active system that would be inserted into an ecosystem.
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve is characterized by its uncommon scenic beauty and enormous biodiversity. It hosts 553 species of plants, 46 of mammalians, 237 species of birds, 45 of reptiles and 4 of amphibians.
One of four fundamental elements of the Biosphere Reserve model it’s the research and promotion of its biological resources, reason why, in a combined effort with the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Tourism Promotion Commission for the State of Sonora (COFETUR), through El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, negotiated the construction of a space dedicated to the education of conservation, in addition to supporting the development of sustainable tourism in this natural protected area.
Having into consideration as one of the main factors the integration to the local ecosystem and the autonomy of economic resources, the project for the Visitors Center was conceptualized into an autonomous building: “an active system that would be inserted into an ecosystem”; as a consequence of which the concept establishes more in a way of in habitat than just an architectural design with a low energy consumption criteria.
The project it’s constituted by a main axle that favors orientation achieving by bioclimatic design strategies cross ventilation, taking advantage of the sun´s path will naturally illuminate the interior of the building. Concerning the constructive system we choose the one that would have less impact on site: a prefabricated steel structure and autoclaved aerated concrete blocks that allows a clean constructive procedure, these offer a high thermal resistance grade which is why they result a key factor in the design strategy of the building´s skin.
Another premise for the Visitors Center is the application of “green technologies”, incorporating a PV system as a primary energy source, as well as an absorption chiller, will offer a higher energetic performance coefficient than the traditional system.
More information | Centro de Visitantes Schuk Toak
More information | Visitors Centre project
