Alma Escalante

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PROJECT
ALMA ESCALANTE

YEAR
2020

TYPOLOGY
RESIDENTIAL

AREA
6000 M²

STATUS
BUILT

LOCATION
ESCALANTE
SAN JOSÉ

PHOTOGRAPHER
CÉSAR BELIO <-?

FALTA TEXTO ALMA ESCALANTE- - - ->
The project conceives institutional architecture as an active instrument of State representation. The Annex Tower to the Courts of Justice in San Ramón does not merely address a functional need for additional space; it seeks to elevate and dignify governmental architecture as public space capable of expressing the core values of the Judiciary: solidity, transparency, accessibility, and impartiality.

The proposal is structured as a system of interconnected volumes, each assuming a precise symbolic dimension. The volcanic stone base anchors the building to its territory and represents the stability of the judicial system. Above it, a transparent volume houses the Public Prosecutor’s Office, expressing institutional openness and the citizen’s right to access justice.

The structural pillars supporting the upper volume constitute a metaphor of the Judiciary itself: firm and autonomous elements that validate timely and effective justice. These supports do not merely bear the building’s physical load; they symbolize the institutional foundation that upholds the rule of law. The upper volume represents the space where justice is exercised with technical rigor and ethical responsibility.

From a bioclimatic standpoint, the building operates as passive infrastructure. It does not rely on air-conditioning systems, except in courtrooms where specific regulations require it. Solar-control panels reduce direct thermal gain, while a centrally positioned oval void functions as a climatic chimney, promoting hot air extraction and enabling constant cross ventilation. This strategy enhances environmental comfort while significantly reducing energy consumption.

Biophilic integration reinforces this environmental logic through interior gardens, controlled natural lighting, and the use of native species that support user well-being. The tower is thus consolidated as an urban landmark that reaffirms the importance of public architecture and positions judicial infrastructure as a symbol of civic trust, democratic legitimacy, and institutional responsibility.