Heatherwick Studio Designs School of Sustainable Design in Colombia

As revealed in a trio of renderings, the design of the seven-story building on Calle 72, one of Bogotá's main arteries, is recognizably Heatherwick; its rounded balconies supported by flutes and draped in green recall the studio's 1,000 Trees, Little Island, and Nanyang Learning Hub, among other built projects.

The biggest difference is the application of color to the columns and terraces on the facade, a gesture that “pays homage to the local craft traditions including Werregue basketry,” the studio said in a statement, “a form of weaving unique to Colombia’s Wounaan indigenous community.”

Although the statement did not indicate a material palette, it asserted that the design team is working on “innovative facade materials to deal with the high levels of sunlight at this altitude and ensure the longevity of the building.” Furthermore, the terraces will incorporate local plant species so the building's “biophilic design” aligns with Bogotá's C40 Urban Nature Declaration.

Construction of the building on the Universidad Ean campus is slated to start in 2025.