The MOVA Teacher Innovation Center in Medellín prioritizes sustainability and teacher development with a unique design.
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Elevated Design and Integration with Nature
The MOVA Teacher Innovation Center, designed by OPUS architects, is located in Medellín, Colombia. This innovative project repurposes an existing parking lot by erecting a structure on pillars, with interconnected volumes linked by bridges. This design fosters courtyards and gaps, allowing trees to flourish and creating a dynamic interplay between the built environment and the natural landscape.
Collaborative Design Process
A unique aspect of the MOVA Teacher Innovation Center is its collaborative design process. Architects, educators, and public and private entities worked together to ensure the building met the specific needs of its users. This transdisciplinary approach translated pedagogical concepts into tangible architectural solutions, resulting in a space that truly supports teacher development and innovation.
Sustainability and LEED Gold Certification
The MOVA Teacher Innovation Center is committed to sustainability. The integration of vegetation enhances connectivity and contributes to the development of a key ecological node within the city. Adherence to high design and construction standards led to the building achieving LEED Gold certification, showcasing its environmental responsibility.
Blurring Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
Inspired by the spatial layout of the University of Antioquia campus, the center’s design blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Terraces, bridges, and lattices create a seamless transition between the building and its surroundings, allowing occupants to fully appreciate the climate and landscape of Medellín. The building frames views of Parque Norte and the slopes of the Valle de Aburrá.
Community Engagement and Teacher Involvement
Throughout the design process, active engagement with teachers was a priority. Initiatives such as Mova camp, appropriation workshops, and Mova Mobile helped shape the project narrative and ensure the center’s pedagogical model was effectively implemented.
A Hub for Innovation in Education
The MOVA Teacher Innovation Center is more than just a building; it’s a hub for innovation in public education. By providing a space for meetings, training sessions, and professional development, the center empowers teachers and fosters a collaborative approach to enhancing teaching practices in Medellín.
Project Information:
Architects: OPUS
Area: 7000 m²
Year: 2018
Photographs: Isaac Ramirez
Manufacturers: Arkos, Cimbrados
Project Management: Manuel José Jaén Posada, Carlos Andrés Betancur Cifuentes, Carlos David Montoya Valencia
Architectural Coordination: Juan Sebastián Restrepo Aguirre
Team: Arq. Juliana Isaza Romero Arq. Carlos Alberto Cano Bedoya Arq. Eugenia Zoubtchenko Arq. Germán Tamayo Arq. Daniel Miranda Muñoz Arq. Mateo Marín Mejía Arq. Natalia Mena Parra Arq. Diana Castillo Naranjo Arq. Catherine Pérez Cuartas Est. Arq. Manuela Salazar Villegas Est. Arq. Sara Olier Brome
Contracting Entity / Promoter: Secretaría de Educación Medellín y Corporación Parque Explora
Expolora Park Design Team: Jose Augusto Ocampo, Santiago Arango, Sara Rumié, Alejandro Villegas
Interior Design: Corporación Parque Explora
City: Medellín
Country: Colombia
