Location: Santiago, Chile
Typology: Industrial- Retail / New Construction
Size: 300 M2
Status: Completed
Photography: Guy Wenborne

The commission required the design of a chlorine sales and distribution center with executive offices. The site comprised of two fused lots is situated in an old urban industrial zone.

The owner’s requirements included that the project be built in two phases allowing for the existing center to remain open while the first phase be built on the adjacent empty plot.

The phasing required for the future structure to build a replica of the existing program which included a loading and sales area and chlorine storage tanks storage before demolition of the existing structure.

Being two blocks from a newly open metro station, the building represents the company’s transition from a small scale family business into a major distributer and the rebirth of the neighborhood.

On the first level, a loading and unloading area and the parking zone setback the central volume from the street and neighboring buildings. A small pedestrian ramp leads directly to the sales and distribution area, serving as the building’s main entrance.

Considering that most of the transactions take place outdoors, a light floating metal clad box supported by steel columns overhangs to provide cover to the outdoor sales and dispatch zone. These covered areas define outdoor spaces which are interconnected with each other and relate to the interior program.

The volume above houses offices and lightweight storage which can serve as additional future office space.