On a large site on the outskirts of Santiago along the Pan American highway, this complex for a printing company provides facilities for administrative offices, manufacturing equipment, material and product storage, and workers’ needs, such as dining, recreation and meeting. According to Alusa’s traditions, the buildings and grounds are unified to create a strong sense of community in the work place where daily activities actually serve to enrich the development of the individual. The design combines in a mutually complementary manner the ideals of humanistic, worker-friendly environment with the practical needs for efficient production. To create a sense of place, emphasis is given to the space between buildings rather than the buildings themselves. Consequently, a series of gardens in harmony with the natural surroundings evolve into formally delineated courts at the core. Water animates these courts and gardens with pools, fountains and rills which serve to unify the landscape. In addition, a series of narrow moats in conjunction with blackberry bushes create a visually transparent barrier that provides both security and openness. To emphasize the outdoor spaces, the buildings are kept simple in form and non-monumental in character. The architecture ranges in scale from the industrial proportions of the production naves to the intimate scale of the gathering places. To unify the multitude of buildings, the structures are covered by metal roofs. To enhance the work environment, natural light is brought in through skylights and windows which open onto both vistas and the surrounding intimate views.
