Beneath the Buenos Aires sky stands the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Pabellón 2. It is a place where scientific dreams take flight. This building is more than just concrete and classrooms. It is a testament to Argentina’s commitment to education and discovery.
The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, often called “Exactas”, is part of the University of Buenos Aires. Exactas is the natural science school within the university. It is the largest university in Argentina. The Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales is housed in several buildings. These buildings form the Ciudad Universitaria complex. You will find it in the Núñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Pabellón 2 is not alone. The computer science, mathematics, and physics departments reside in Pabellón 1. Other departments call Pabellón 2 home. The Pabellón de Industrias also contributes to academic and research activities.
Let’s step back in time. The seeds of Ciudad Universitaria were sown in 1929. Famed architect Le Corbusier shared his urban ideas for Buenos Aires. Later, the City of Buenos Aires’ Regulatory Plan embraced this location. The Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires formed a team. They analyzed site alternatives. Architects José Alberto Lepera, Juan Ballester Peña, Alfredo Ibarlucía, and Valerio Peluffo were part of this team. They chose the Núñez neighborhood along the river.
In 1958, the national government transferred these lands to the UBA. This transfer was permanent. Work began on the project. An international competition sought the best designs. Architects Catalano, Caminos, Sacriste, and Picarel were chosen. Their project included five pavilions for classrooms. They also planned buildings for the rectorate, library, auditorium, and faculty housing. There was even an area planned for sports. Sadly, only Pabellones 2 and 3 were built.
Pabellón 2 is a rectangular prism. It stretches 150 meters long and 74 meters wide. It offers 69,000 square meters of space. The building includes a basement, ground floor, four stories, and a roof. The basement houses an auditorium, services, parking, and workshops. The ground floor welcomes visitors with access points. Here you will also find a central patio and administrative offices. The upper floors provide classrooms, labs, and a library.
A central patio rises through the building. It brings natural light to the space. This patio serves as a gathering place for students. It also hosts temporary exhibitions. The patio floor doubles as the auditorium’s roof below. Vertical circulation is facilitated by two cores. Each one has three elevators and wide staircases.
The Facultad de Arquitectura moved into Pabellón 3 in 1971. Each floor stands 3.50 meters tall. The basement and first floor reach about 6 meters. This accommodates the auditorium. The structure relies on cruciform columns. They are spaced 16 meters apart. The ceiling is formed by pyramid-shaped coffers. Skylights in the coffers add natural light.
Universidad de Buenos Aires is a top institution. It excels in scientific study and research. The Universidad de Buenos Aires has over 100,800 students and 6,500 teachers.
The design of the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales promotes interaction. Expansive indoor and outdoor spaces encourage students to connect. Courtyards preserve native trees. These trees predate the building. The building integrates into the campus. Passageways link the building to older facilities.
The trapezoid-shaped building has two floors. Classrooms are on the ground level. Research labs and offices are above. Flexible spaces adapt to changing needs. Walls feature dry-erase whiteboards. Students and instructors can freely express their ideas.
As you leave the Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – Pabellón 2 remember that this building is more than bricks and mortar. It symbolizes Argentina’s dedication to knowledge. It is a place where future scientists are shaped and dreams take flight.