UNIVERSITY HALLS OF RESIDENCE. GUATEMALA CITY.

This project grew out of a period spent in Guatemala under contract to the United Nations to develop settlements for communities displaced by the country’s armed conflict.

The steeply sloping, rectangular site played a decisive role in shaping the building’s form. The design aims to stand out in a peri-urban area where construction quality and architectural character are generally poor.

Floors of living space alternate with shared communal floors, while parking space is provided at basement level. The entrance floor is split into two levels—semi-basement and ground floor—taking advantage of the site’s gradient and creating striking double-height interiors.

Midway up the building, large planted terraces are combined with a café, study areas, and social spaces.
The residential floors between the communal levels are designed with en-suite rooms, plus kitchens and lounges positioned in the corners.
The roof becomes a vibrant garden terrace with panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.
High-level openings throughout the building promote cross-ventilation between opposite façades, enhancing thermal comfort in the tropical climate.

Greenery is woven into the design at every level, reflecting the lush growth of evergreen species in the region.

The façades combine robust concrete walls—essential in this seismic zone—with coloured rendered finishes, while brise-soleil elements shade the most sun-exposed windows.