Was it architect Rafael Viñoly’s incredulity that fueled its eventual creation? He doubted it would ever be built. Now, here we stand before the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito. This is the new building for the Faculty of Exact Sciences. It is a testament to perseverance and innovative design.
Viñoly, an alumnus of the University of Buenos Aires, initially hesitated to believe in the project. He thought that large architectural endeavors often faltered in Argentina. This was especially true for public universities. Yet, Cero + Infinito defied expectations. Sebastián Ceria, another alumnus, championed the project since 2008. He dedicated his time and energy to bring it to fruition.
Opened in 2021, Cero + Infinito is a state-of-the-art university pavilion. It is considered the most modern in Argentina. It also ranks among the most progressive in Latin America. The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito spans 17,000 square meters. It is a colossal silver structure. It houses computer rooms, offices and laboratories. There is also a library and multimedia rooms. These all symbolize a vision of the future.
Rector Alberto Barbieri told Infobae that the university feels great satisfaction and pride. It now possesses infrastructure of this caliber. All Exactas departments will utilize it. Barbieri emphasized its unique nature. Its planning started under one government. Its execution occurred almost entirely under another. Its completion happened under a third administration. It represents continuity in state policy regardless of leadership.
The Development Bank financed the construction of Cero + Infinito. The project was tendered in 2015. Almost 50 million dollars was invested. Viñoly himself named the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito. He was still unsure if it would materialize. The name refers to two internal patios filled with greenery. From above, they resemble a circle and a horizontal figure eight. They symbolize zero and infinity.
The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito has ample common areas. They encourage conversation and interaction. It connects to another Exactas pavilion. This creates a striking contrast between modernity and the advanced building of sixty years ago.
The ground floor is dedicated to teaching and learning. There are 19 classrooms. Five are in amphitheater style. They can accommodate one hundred students each. Modern furniture replaced old desks. There are mobile tables and comfortable chairs. The classrooms will host courses from all nine Faculty careers. It is designed to accommodate over 3,000 students and researchers simultaneously.
Juan Carlos Reboreda is the Dean of Exactas. He noted initial skepticism within the educational community. Few believed it would be possible. Later, teachers and researchers saw the building’s progress. Now there is eagerness to use it. The goal is to have continuous movement between the three pavilions. This will fully restore in-person learning.
Researchers eagerly await moving to their new offices at the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito. The first floor has 56 equipped offices. Among the occupants is the Interinstitutional Center for Data Science. This arose from an agreement between UBA and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Projects in computing, atmospheric sciences and calculation will advance here.
One hidden innovation is the 8,700-square-meter green roof. This grassy expanse above the classrooms and offices absorbs solar energy. It helps stabilize the pavilion’s temperature.
The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito aims to become a national and regional research reference. It seemed improbable back in 2008. Today, that dream of bricks and ingenuity is a reality.
The building’s design incorporates straight and curved lines. The facade is entirely glass. The two interior patios are curved. They evoke the number zero and the infinity symbol. The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Cero + Infinito is set in a wooded area. The roof blends with the surrounding trees.