Answering the question about how to create a university campus in a tropical climate without entering in the undesirable energy consumption, outdoor areas design recycles as much rainwater as possible . The client, interested in sustainable construction and with educational facilities in many tropical areas of Colombia, encouraged us to develop an exemplary project that would properly adapt to its context.

The climate in the city of Villavicencio can be considered as a perfect case study for these warmer areas of Colombia. Situated at 450 meters above sea level, with an average temperature of 25.5°C and an increased thermal sensation for its relative humidity close to 80%, it undoubtedly calls for efficient strategies to temper the different spaces of the campus. A well-planned, bioclimatic architecture will be capable of providing the required thermal comfort, both inside the classrooms and for the outdoor spaces of the campus.

The design of the public areas is centered on two main courts, located between the buildings, in which permeable pavements and native vegetation enhance the bioclimatic approach of the interior areas. Water is the central theme of the landscaping design and is treated as a material, constantly changing and defining dry zones (buildings), flow areas (squares and seating areas) and floodable plains (rain gardens and water basins).