CIAT GENEBANK COMPETITION / PALMIRA / 2014
We were invited to present a schematic design for the future Genebank in Cali, Colombia. Genebanks are vital institutions where plants, in the form of seeds or plantlets in test tubes, are catalogued, conserved for the long term, and made available for distribution. These facilities are not merely biodiversity repositories; they support breeders and researchers in selecting appropriate materials for genetic improvement and research while directly providing seeds or planting materials to farmers (source: CIAT). The Genebank at CIAT houses the world’s largest collection of beans, cassava, and tropical forages.
The site, located in a flood-prone zone with high seismic activity, high humidity, and year-round high temperatures, presents a challenging contrast to the need for storing seeds at temperatures below -20°C with very low humidity.
In response, we envisioned a building that offers a highly emotional and dynamic space where people can connect with science, nature, and the concepts of life and time. The Genebank at CIAT Palmira is designed to serve as a global link between biodiversity and people, becoming a source of inspiration and information. Our design embraces natural light, the surrounding landscape, and the unique natural and urban conditions of the site to create a strong and functional structure.
The building's form emerges from the extrusion of a simple section along a spiral-shaped path, symbolizing the continuity of time and the interdependence of nature and humanity. This design generates deep, ever-changing perspectives, allowing visitors to circulate under generous eaves, contemplate the landscape, and observe scientific processes through large display-like windows in the laboratories.
To maximize efficiency, the final geometry and orientation of the building were adjusted to optimize solar trajectory, wind patterns, and natural ventilation. The design is set to achieve LEED Silver certification through strategies focused on water management, lighting control, and the prevention of heat islands, both exterior and interior.