Ponce de Leon Architects Portfolio by The Solution Group

SELECTED WORKS 2014

CONTENTS Zonamerica Business and Technology Park 8 Belmont House Hotel 16 Moviecenter Theater Complex / Montevideo Shopping Center 20 Moviecenter Theater Complex / Portones Shopping Center 24 Laguna del Sauce House 26 Triada Office Park 30 Sabre Holdings 32 Lumina Office Complex 36 Miura Residential Towers 40 TATA Consultancy Services, IT Park Pune 44 TATA Consultancy Services Ibearoamerica Head Offices 48 Sabre Holdings Buenos Aires 50 Diamond Tower 52 Kalpityia 56 Synergia Office Building 60 Tata Housing, Retail And Office Complex 64 Jacksonville School Square 68 Katoen Natie Head Offices 72 Ocwen 76 Nexus Building 80 Quantum Building 82 CrĂ¨dit AndorrĂ Bank 84 TATA Housing, Oragadam 88 TATA Consultancy Services, IT Park, Chennai 94 Main Gate Entrance, Zonamerica 102 Celebra Office Building 106 Merck Serono Laboratories 124 Gate 3 Zonamerica 126 Dubai - Venice 128 Forum 134 Finca Moldavia 148 Zonamerica/Sli Logistic And Business Park & Port 158 Cassa Georgetown 164 Abitab Headquarters 170 Cassa Brickell 176 Audi Zentrum 184 Natura 194 Tosa Tower 208

Ponce de León Architects was established by Arch. Carlos Ponce de León in February 2004.

Property Award in association with Bloomberg Television, in the International Architecture Award (Office) category in the year 2010. Another one of Arch. Carlos Ponce de León graduated from the School their projects, Siruseri Technology Park for TATA of Architecture, University of the Republic, Uruguay in Consultancy Services (located in Chennai, India), has 1985. In the year 1987 he joined Adolfo Pozzi as partner won the International Property Awards in association of the firm Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de León with Bloomberg Television for Best Office Architecture Muxí Architects and continued as such until Arch. Adolfo both in India and Asia Pacific, and also the International Pozzi’s passing away in January 2004. Arch. Carlos Architecture Award (Office) in 2011. Ponce de León practices since February 2004 under Ponce de León Architects. A large number of projects, covering almost every area of practice, is currently being developed by Ponce de Since the start of his career, Arch. Carlos Ponce de León Architects, as well as by Carlos Ott Architects León’s has dealt with a wide range of scales and in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects, programs such as Urban Planning, Architectural and many of which can already be seen on the website. Interior Design for different areas such as Recreational, Retail, Office, Health, Housing, Administration, Our practices are among the most committed in Education, Industry, Laboratories, and Multifamily and the area of sustainable designs. The architectural Family Residences. The latter is an area in which Arch. designs of Ponce de León Architects and Carlos Ott Ponce de León has been involved since the beginning in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects’s of his work, both under his former and current practices. promote the incorporation of the word “green” in all of Houses have been designed and built simultaneously the design stages. with the rest of the projects which Arch. Ponce de León has designed or co-designed with Arch. Pozzi. Locations Architecture and sustainability are inseparable in an such as Carrasco - one of the most exclusive residential integrated design. Architecture presents a unique neighborhoods in Montevideo- and Punta del Este, the challenge in the field of sustainability. Sustainable main seaside resort in Uruguay, host some of Arch. construction is defined as “the creation and responsible Ponce de León’s designs. management of a healthy built environment based on resource efficient and ecological principles”. Since 2004 the firm has worked in India, Sri Lanka, Sustainably-designed buildings intend to lessen UAE and many countries in South America, along with their impact on our environment through energy and an ongoing flow of projects mainly in Uruguay and resource efficiency, including the following principles: Argentina. The association between Ponce de Leon’s firm and worldwide renowned fellow Uruguayan architect • Minimizing non-renewable resource Carlos Ott allowed the creation of a new practice consumption specialized in large-scale Master Planning, Cultural, • Enhancing the natural environment Office and Residential projects. The Celebra Office • Eliminating or minimizing toxic emissions Building was awarded the International Commercial

In this way, we will achieve an environmentally-friendly architecture avoiding the use of artificial energy. Sustainable buildings, like the ones shown in these Selected Works, involve considering their entire life cycle, taking environmental quality, functional quality and future values into account. We identify five objectives in our practices and building designs:

• Resource Efficiency • Energy Efficiency (including greenhouse gas emissions reduction)

• Pollution Prevention (including indoor air quality and noise abatement)

• Harmonisation with Environment (including environmental assessment)

• Integrated and Systemic Approaches (including environmental management system)

Documented in these Selected Works are some of the major projects undertaken by both our practices in the 2000’s and 2010’s. Alongside these landmarks, this book documents the design and construction of a series of different projects, ranging from single-family residences, to IT Parks, Hotels and Multi-Housing developments in various parts of the world.

1990 -

ZONAMERICA BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Mux铆 Architects Montevideo, Uruguay Masterplanning

Zonamerica is located in Montevideo, 10 minutes away from Carrasco Airport and 30 minutes away from downtown. Zonamerica Business and Technology Park has successfully delivered solutions to multinational companies for 15 years, emerging as a leader in Latin America.

Originally, the park was conceived to allocate mainly industries and logistic activities. Progressively, warehouses have converted to offices, locating technological and biotechnological businesses. Zonamerica is built on a tradition of excellence in its urbanism, architecture, technology and infrastructure.

Zonamerica Business and Technology Park provides complete solutions in terms of location and infrastructure for corporations which specialize in services, back offices, banks logistics, technology or commerce in general. Since the first stages around the year 1990, our firm has worked on the urban planning, buildings design, interior design and landscaping of this 125-acre world-class technology park.

The main issues to address are high-quality design, leading-edge architecture that allows construction with a fast erection process, space optimization and permanent flexibility for the different tenants. Concerns on sustainability, flexibility, durability, orientation, energy save, reuse and environment protection are permanent issues guiding the design process.

Our firm has been providing Zonamerica with highquality architectural solutions including the latest ideal architectural designs for workplaces. Fiber optic connections with key business capitals in the region are included in all buildings. Its exclusive satellite communication teleport allows tenants to have advanced connections and redundant internet access.

Zonamerica Business and Technology Park

1992 - 1995

BELMONT HOUSE HOTEL Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de León Muxí Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Located in the heart of the exclusive residential neighborhood of Carrasco, this Relais & Chateaux hotel is the result of refinement, love of nature and all the comfort available nowadays. The character of this hotel and restaurant is synonymous to style. It represents a choice, an act of daring and singular quality.

The two stories provide approximately 3,600 m2 of accommodation distributed into 24 rooms, 4 suites, 3 meeting rooms, a living room and a magnificent small bar that overlooks the back garden and swimming pool. Each room has its own open garden view and common areas are not large, creating a homey atmosphere. The “L” shape of the building projects the landscape into the interior, allowing each suite to be An old house was located in this 3,600 m2 site situated closely linked to the green areas. The building employs at the corner of Rivera Avenue and Sanlucar St. Part of a low-energy environmental strategy and a range of the old construction was reused for the new program, new and traditional construction technologies. The use enlargements were made towards the east and south, of masonry exterior walls allows an easy-to-maintain and a new level was added over the ground floor level. energy building cost. As a result of a detailed consultation with the hotel owners, it was possible to anticipate and develop Allegro, a small 46-seat restaurant located by the these exclusive European architecture and interior swimming pool at ground floor level, deserves a design facilities. special mention. The status that Relais & Chateaux

enjoys in the international hotel industry derives from what makes this hotel different. The five C’s summarize that difference: Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm and Cuisine.

Belmont House Hotel

1997 - 1998

MOVIECENTER THEATER COMPLEX / MONTEVIDEO SHOPPING CENTER Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Mux铆 Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

A pioneer in its type, already consolidated as the leader in the capital city, Montevideo Shopping Center expanded with a multiplex of 10 movie theaters with a 2,200-seat capacity and 645 parking spaces. The 18,876 m2 facilities feature stadium theaters with excellent visibility and activities such as theme-based amusements, games, shopping and a small coffee shop. The construction of the complex project took nine months, and the architectural design is sleek and modern. The interior finish used mixed metallic and concrete structures, and varied finishing textures were used in balconies, stairways and halls.

a dimension of 13x6 meters. The multi-story atrium overlooks the shopping center, providing remarkable views for visitors. Concession areas are located in the main lobby, three levels above street level. The project relies on public transportation for the people who visit the commercial facilities.

The brick-shaped box dominates the image of the shopping center, and three connections were opened into the existing commercial area. The main screen has

Moviecenter Theater Complex / Montevideo Shopping Center

1997 - 1998

MOVIECENTER THEATER COMPLEX / PORTONES SHOPPING CENTER Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Mux铆 Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Already consolidated as the leader in the capital city, Montevideo Shopping Center expanded to the exclusive neighborhood of Carrasco. After a staggering growth, a multiplex of 10 movie theaters with a large seating capacity was incorporated. The facilities feature theatres with excellent visibility and activities such as themebased amusements, games, shopping and a small coffee shop.

The multi-story atrium overlooks the shopping center, providing remarkable views for visitors. Concession areas are located in the main lobby, three levels above street level. The project relies on public transportation for the people who visit the commercial facilities.

The architectural design is sleek and modern. The interior finish used mixed metallic and concrete structures, and varied finishing textures were used in balconies, stairways and halls. The brick- shaped box dominates the image of the shopping center, and three connections were opened into the existing commercial area. The main screen has a dimension of 13x6 meters.

1999 - 2000

LAGUNA DEL SAUCE HOUSE Adolfo F. Pozzi Guelfi - Carlos Ponce de León Muxí Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Laguna del Sauce is located very close to Punta del Este, Large glazed surfaces allow for views towards the laguna Maldonado, Uruguay. This private house, situated in a and the neighboring forest, and give the volumes a real plot of 7 hectares, was remodeled and enlarged for a sense of transparency and communion with nature. Uruguayan family. Open verandahs around the main house and bungalow It combines the use of local materials with extremely pavilion provide an extension of the interior living areas. contextual design. The project demonstrates how contemporary interventions can enhance the old Sustainability and respect for the site and the laguna by relying on sensitive juxtaposition rather than on were drivers for the different buildings, the pier and the competition. The use of a “quincho” roof as well as viewpoint at the end of this wooden construction, located site stones and wood, gives the different buildings a one hundred meters into the water. Masonry heaters particular shape surrounded by natural forests. The have been placed in living and bedroom areas to give an integration of the house and the bungalow to the site alternative heat source to traditional heating systems. was a priority for the architects, in order to preserve the existing trees and their roots.

Laguna del Sauce House

2001 - 2003

TRIADA OFFICE PARK Ponce de Le贸n Architects in association with Nicol谩s Guerra Architects Canelones, Uruguay

This new office building complex is located just opposite the International Carrasco Airport, Canelones, Uruguay. The proposed new buildings, located beside a beautiful lake surrounded by the Parque Roosevelt forest, will provide 32,000 m2 of office space and a shopping arcade accessed from a new public plaza. The project takes a radical approach - technically, architecturally and spatially - to create the first ecological office complex in Canelones. The buildings have a highly innovative design, which takes advantage of views over the lake and surrounding forests, as well as towards the airport, and maximizes the use of flexible floor space for different tenants.

Daylight is drawn into the different office buildings and commercial areas located below via an atrium, which runs the full height of the main building between the core and the office floor plates. Light is admitted through double-glazed translucent glass to allow filtered daylight into the spaces, where solar shading is provided by fullheight aluminum louvers and fabric screens. To permit greater flexibility in planning internal divisions, the curtain wall was designed in all elevations to allow future modifications without making any changes in the facades of the different buildings. The design provided the most advanced working environment for office complexes in the area.

The landscape was generated with a central water pond surrounded by the buildings, and natural gardens link the plot with the existing lake. The use of natural ventilation reinforces the GREEN features of these particularly curve-shaped buildings. Huge parking pavilions and underground parking lots are located surrounding the buildings giving international standard capacity to this technical office park.

2005 - 2006

SABRE HOLDINGS Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

As demand for office space continues to grow worldwide, call centers are finding global standard services in Zonamerica. Building 400, an existing logistic warehouse, has been refurbished for Sabre Holdings.

was completely opened attaching a 90-meter-long breathtaking glass curved plane. Cast steel finger fixing hardware supports the glass panels.

This client demanded very tight time schedules from our office and Zonamerica. Only 4 months for a 5,400 m2 building, including design and construction. A new mezzanine divided the old warehouse in two levels. The facades were entirely glazed and a skylight was opened promoting transparency and natural light. Open office spaces allowed flexibility for interior design marked by curved forms in double heights, and details of bamboo, cactus and a fountain increased green presence inside the building. The south elevation

Sabre Holdings

2006

LUMINA OFFICE COMPLEX Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

This project is being developed in association with Carlos A. Ott Architects. The urban Masterplan has been incorporated to the original Zonamerica Masterplan design. Zonamerica, as the leading Business and Technology Park in Latin America, needs to incorporate new office space as larger companies are moving their headquarters to Montevideo. Located at the north west of the park, the group of six variable height office buildings will be the architectural connection between the Park and the ZonamericaJacksonville Masterplanned Community. The total area provides 95,658 m2 of accommodation, including offices and small shopping spaces.

The project takes an architectural, technical, social and spatial approach to create a new image for Zonamerica. The towers are placed in two semicircular shapes, surrounding two round plazas. Also, the buildings are not rectangular: curve shapes in elevations and floor plans respond to this particular location in the Park. Reflections are being studied in order to increase transparency, and double-height lobbies connect interior with exterior nature. Precast structures are being designed to support these particularly shaped buildings. Energy consumption will be reduced comparing these new buildings with existing ones.

Lumina Office Park

2006

MIURA RESIDENTIAL TOWERS Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

The development of these three residential towers and a unique boutique hotel was the first urban and architectural proposal for this particular plot of one hectare located towards the west of Puerto del Buceo, in the middle of the rambla of Montevideo, in the neighborhood of Pocitos. Providing a new social heart for the Puerto del Buceo, it is intended to benefit the wider community of Pocitos and the WTC area with new facilities, connections and civic spaces. The scheme comprises 4 different buildings: three located around a central plaza and a smaller one in the south-western part of the plot, where the 50-room hotel was designed. A few offices and leisure facilities, as well as a circular strip of shops and restaurants, were located at ground level.

Natural ventilation is enhanced by the orientation of the three volumes, as well as by a series of voids within each vertical block, which promotes cross-ventilation. Horizontal brise-soleil and balconies provide shade to the residential units. Each balcony or glazed opening has been designed to capture a unique view of the landscape and the apartments are configured in such a way that privacy is assured, yet natural light, views and external balconies spaces are optimized. Its particular shape was designed to respect the views of neighboring buildings and the views of the rambla towards the port and the River Plate. Staggered residential towers have between 28 and 34 levels, with

Magnificent views towards Punta Gorda and Carrasco underground parking areas and unique penthouses on were obtained on account of the height of the buildings top of the three buildings. The three towers and hotel at this unique point of the rambla of Montevideo. volumes are made principally of curtain wall glass, its colors ranging from transparent to blue so as to create an image that varies in appearance and sparkles depending on the light conditions at different times throughout the day. Curve-shaped balconies in all elevations, as well as internal facades with clear glass balconies are accessed from the residential units through full-height sliding glaze aluminum panels, which allow the apartments to open out onto the north, east and south ramblas, the port, and the external surrounding gardens.

Miura Residential Towers

2006

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, IT PARK PUNE Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Pune, India

TATA Consultancy Services Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park Pune, India - Located at one of the country’s most thriving academia centers, Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park (Phase III) is the place where TCS chose to develop this new emblematic IT Park. The design includes the following ecological principles: minimizing non-renewable resource consumption; enhancing the natural environment; and eliminating or minimizing toxic emissions. The “iconic” sinuous design that was proposed for this new TCS Campus is a new demonstration project of energy-conscious practices, calling for a 20% of the energy to come from renewable sources. It attempts to achieve an environmentallyfriendly architecture avoiding the use of artificial energy.

A variety of shading devices in all buildings, including fabric-membrane structures that are basically formed by a mesh, which is made up of an orthogonal bidirectional net, made of very thin high-resistance threads, which gives the necessary resistance for these materials and provides natural shade, creating a sensational pedestrian path all around the Campus. Although air conditioning can also be installed in summer, there are more comparative advantages that make artificial air conditioning unnecessary in many cases. This system is ideal for warm climates because it implies saving energy. In the same way, when the heat conditions are very high, it is convenient to improve the quality of the membrane not only as a material but also by obtaining advantages with regard to the shape of the membrane.

Sustainable buildings, like the ones we are proposing for TCS, involve considering the entire cycle of buildings, taking environmental quality, functional quality and future values into account. There are planted areas all over the Campus shading the buildings and pedestrian paths. The plan for the new 50 acres (20 ha) for a total of 17,000 software development engineers plus all related administration and service employees, includes a library, a training centre, an auditorium and a huge cafeteria for 1,600 people.

stories will home all software development activities with a “green” connection between them. Traditional local Indian forms were adapted to modern forms, technology and functions for the symbolically important site.

The presence of a natural water stream that crosses the lot in the first quarter of its total length, determines the initial masterplan by locating different points to each side of it. A sinuous serpentine of nine buildings of 4-7

Tata Consultancy Services, IT Park Pune

2007

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES IBEAROAMERICA HEAD OFFICES Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

TCS Ibero-America Headquarters, one of the main branches of the Indian Software Development worldwide leader, are located in two different offices at the Beta 4 Building in Zonamerica.

The image of this company’s headquarters flex space is distinctive high-visibility architecture. Three semi-circular laminated glass bay windows give TCS’s office a strong and modern image.

They look to the main two-story atrium of this multi-tenant high-tech flexible facility, as well as to the north facade of this remodeled warehouse. The first stage was designed in the year 2001. Architectural and interior design shows that high-tech environments have a high value on access to natural architecture, creating a strong identity for this company. Through the use of this combination of modern high-tech architecture and infrastructure, our office interior design brought natural lighting, green areas, wooden benches and bamboo beds.

2007

SABRE HOLDINGS BUENOS AIRES Ponce de León Architects Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sabre Holdings is a global technology company. Their innovative technology is used by more than a billion people around the world to plan, book and get to their destination at a time and price that’s right for them. Sabre Offices in Buenos Aires - Located in downtown Buenos Aires, at 234 Sarmiento Street, the Miroshka building holds in its six levels the offices for this multinational enterprise, which also develops its activities in Zonamerica Business and Technology Park in Montevideo. The existing building was partially remodeled in order to adequate it to Sabre’s particular requirements. Complex last generation security and data systems have been incorporated to this narrow building.

The office lobby looks into a full-height glazed atrium that opens out to the street through a dramatic entrance while a glass floor at the entrance admits daylight into the basement. At street level the building welcomes the working community. Completed to a tight budget, the Sabre Center combines local skills, materials and construction techniques with the minimum of imported systems.

2007

DIAMOND TOWER Retail, Office, Hotel, Serviced Apartments & Residential Units Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Colombo, Sri Lanka

To Colombo city, Diamond Tower is like a diamond ring in a gold setting. Its architecture attempts to create an identity within the country. The architectural design of Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects for Diamond Tower, located at Darley road, promotes the incorporation of the word “green” in all the design stages. Architecture and sustainability are inseparable in an integrated design.

project of energy-conscious practices, calling for a 20% of the energy to come from renewable sources.

The elegant system that brings visual lightness to the tower incorporates many levels of green decisionmaking. This prime architectural design is an integration statement; it breaks the rules, as we are proposing a building skin that generates power, a structural system and an architectural design providing thermal comfort, Architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of and a mechanical system with top qualities and aesthetic sustainability. Sustainable construction is defined as “the beauty. The glass facades use low E coated glasses that creation and responsible management of a healthy built usher daylight without producing heat radiation. environment based on resource efficient and ecological principles”. The “iconic” design proposed for this The use of many planted rooftops and terraces properly environmentally-responsible tower is a demonstration installed all around the different levels provides both

heat and sound insulation, also creating a natural habitat for users and residents, mitigating the impact of the construction. The new 60-story building is an approach to the new design concept of the mixeduse of residential apartments, residential penthouses, amenities, apart-hotel, hotel and offices, all of which play a pioneering role in this idea. Situated in the heart of the city, far from the high-rise context, the vertical development contains 3 stories with duplex and triplex penthouses on the upper floors, and 19 stories of luxury residential units having a spectacular view of the city. Outdoor swimming pools for residential owners are on the 29th floor, along with different amenities such as a multipurpose hall, a library, a gym and fitness centre, a kiddies corner and an indoor sports area, combining living and working in one location. The building itself has a secure and separate access to three levels on the basement for those who live in the building, while the first 8 stories above the parking level are destined to be used for offices, apart hotel and visitors.

Diamond Tower

2007

KALPITYIA Masterplanning Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board has identified Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Island, its surrounding islands in Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay and the near islands as an ideal development zone for nature-based tourism.

The Puttalam lagoon - the second largest in Sri Lanka lies on the east side of Kalpitiya. Near the mouth of the lagoon there are several islands inhabited by fishermen. The most important commercial activity in this area is the fishing industry. The proposal of Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects is Its strategic location, abundant natural resources, easy providing a conceptual master plan. Among the resort access to Wilpattu National Park, cultural triangle, attractions there will be an eco-resort, an underwater and the airport, create the best tourist destination. In between the fantastic Indian Ocean and the Island Coast amusement park, golf courses, a racecourse, a floating restaurant, water sports facilities, an Agro Park, boating at Wilpattu National Park, Kalpitiya is a narrow strip and nature trails, and bird-watching facilities. Bordering of islands bestowed with versatile sea landscape, rich the Wilpattu National Park, the location provides an traditions, a unique culture and vibrant population, all surrounded by Bar Reef Marine Sanctuaries, Coastal and exciting venue for adventure sports, safari travel and eco-tourism. It also has the added advantage of being Natural Resources. close to the International Airport.

Kalpityia

2007 - 2008

SYNERGIA OFFICE BUILDING Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

This 4600 m2 building with a technological profile is under construction today and was committed to serve worldwide companies in the areas of technology, data, software, financing and call centers. It was conceived with large, open office areas and limited common ones. The main prism is horizontally divided into two levels and can be vertically divided into three modules, each with independent entrances through halls at the north facade and emergency exits at the south. Six steel staircases communicate first floor level units with the ground floor (three main and three secondary). East and west ends also allow ground floor entrance for functional versatility. Two parking lots are located north

and west of the building. Utility rooms with transformers and boards for different technical services are located in separate secondary buildings to the south. The exterior image combines different modern textures and materials: opaque areas with black pearl colored, Mini-Wave profile metal panels (Hunter Douglass) and aluminum sheeting base. The rest consists of aluminum and a double glazing curtain wall, with grey spandrel glass areas. Entrances are protected by modern slanted steel and glass canopies. The structure, mezzanine and roof are precast concrete. Each first floor module has an aluminum and glass skylite for better natural lighting.

Synergia Office Building

2008

TATA HOUSING, RETAIL AND OFFICE COMPLEX Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects Andheri, Mumbai, India

The design for international firm TATA HOUSING COMPANY in Andheri, Mumbai, India, set out to challenge preconceived ideas about the business of speculative office buildings with the requirements of different key tenants, and demonstrated that a building can be sensitive to its context and still generate a memorable image. The scheme utilized the full potential of the site by situating parking levels on the basement of the building, and creating a full commercial atrium that connects the two volumes, soaring through the ten stories of the building, to draw daylight and diffused sunlight down into the office spaces and commercial areas. The atrium is also the focus of the internal circulation of the building, acting as both a physical and a social heart. The

interaction is further encouraged through balconies in the atrium, which allow visitors and tenants to view all levels without impeding operations. Perimeter offices are naturally ventilated, while those lining the atrium are ventilated with displacement air, introduced through floor outlets. Individually controlled louver glass and metal louvers shade all elevations for each office. This project brings together the concepts of sustainability and mixed-use inner-city development to maximize the potential of both. Seismic performance was another key concern for the designers and the building will contain highly sensitive equipment. The building employs a concrete shear-wall structural system.

TATA Housing, Retail and Office Complex

2007 - 2013

JACKSONVILLE SCHOOL SQUARE Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

Jacksonville Main Square provides a detailed master plan for the environmental improvement of the existing buildings. It aims to improve pedestrian access and enjoyment of the area while enhancing the settings of its buildings, monuments and spaces. As part of a comprehensive program of detailed improvements and enlargements, the main square was completely remodeled, creating a broad pedestrian place in front of the U-shaped building.

Lino Dinetto exhibition space. The southern wing has a substantial entrance area that connects with the 1906 Church located towards the south of the town center. An exterior staircase was located on the east wing, to connect the square with the upper office level. This new wing respects the historical facades, and incorporates a restaurant, a library, storage and restoration facilities.

The scheme opened up the entire perimeter of the building as a public space with a porfido stone pavement and a nice fountain with an iron sculpture on top. Different terraces, restaurants and cafes were placed in the east and west wings, as well as an art gallery and the

Jacksonville School Square

2007

KATOEN NATIE HEAD OFFICES Ponce de Le贸n Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Katoen Natie Offices at Old Town in Montevideo, Uruguay - Since this world leader in logistics and harbor services holds 80% of the Montevideo Harbor Containers Terminal assets, new headquarters facilities were required and the company decided to remodel this old house, declared National Heritage. The lot originally owned by a Spanish marine named Francisco Loores was bought by the French Monarchy, which constructed the original building for its diplomatic delegation around 1830. The architect and exact date are ignored. Around 1950 it was bought by the Arteaga family, which finally sold it to the rice company Coopar until it was sold to Katoen Natie. Fortunately, all owners maintained the original building

with all its characteristics. For example, the Belgian fireplace from 1890 which portrays the fleur-de-lis, symbol of the French Monarchy. Also, the stained glass windows have images of Carlomagno and Saint Louis.

The best example of the mixture of the modern and old is the restored water well found while excavating, which was protected with glass and can be enjoyed through the floor of the computer servers room.

The present refurbishing has undergone a very careful restoration while incorporating the most advanced technology in installations. Modern ceilings and lighting coexist with old finishings, windows and floors. On the roof, a magnificent deck overlooks the old city, the bay and the Montevideo hill. The old skylight was repaired and illuminated obtaining a stained glass ceiling for day and night.

Katoen Natie Head Offices

2009

OCWEN Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

Our practice has consistently encouraged companies to adopt flexible working environments. In the design of their South American headquarters at Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay, Ocwen fully embraced this philosophy. The Ocwen headquarters set new standards in this moving industry, -providing highquality workspace, a state-of-the-art training center for presentations, and an extensive range of on-site facilities. The two-phase development provided the company with the possibility of accommodation for almost 600 employees. In offices equipped with large amounts of hardware, cooling and ventilation are the chief environmental concerns. The facility, located inside SYNERGIA BUILDING, employs a low-energy

environmental strategy and a wide range of new technology building systems. Architects and engineers provided comfortable conditions maintained by combining displacement ventilation with natural cooling from the high thermal mass of the building’s exposed structure. When supplementary ventilation and cooling are needed, the BMS can simply open the openable windows or in the warmest summer days it can connect the air conditioning system. Heat gain is minimized by extensive use of aluminum sun-shades as part of the low-energy facade design.

Ocwen

2010

NEXUS BUILDING Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

With more than 10,000 m2 this mixed-use building will hold the main activities developed in Zonamerica, that is, offices and warehouse. Designed with the required flexibility, this building will be able to receive all kinds of goods, with its 10.2 height and 20 m between columns. It consists of a main prism that will contain warehouses and two minor slanted volumes at each end which will hold offices in two levels. The warehouse activity will operate through the east dock area, with a cantilevered canopy for truck access. Pedestrian entrances will also be available through personnel doors at the west elevation. Warehouse areas can be divided into ten modules and will have a

mezzanine against the east elevation for administrative purposes. Office volumes will have entrances through a doubleheight hall with a circular metal staircase that leads to four units, two at ground level and two at first floor level. Exterior emergency stairs will allow escape from first floor offices. The external image shows a great horizontal prism which combines planes of metal profile sheeting with grooves. Attached to this main volume are the rest of the elements such as canopies, stairs, and the two slanted office glass volumes at each end.

Aluminum and a double glazing curtain wall in offices combined with steel and glass canopies and stairs show a contemporary architectural language. Skylights and roof ventilators assure natural lighting and ventilation, thus saving in maintenance costs. The latest innovations in logistics have been incorporated to this building’s design. Structure and sheeting will be calculated and fabricated by a leader Chinese provider in the field.

2010

QUANTUM BUILDING Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

Designed as a request by Transcargo, a logistic tenant, this expansion will duplicate the existing warehouse area and will provide location for new Transcargo offices and new office rentable space. In order to adapt to the existing lot slope, the addition will be at a lower level thus allowing 12 meters height at the warehouse. In order to establish the difference between existing and new facilities, a lower building will act as a connector while holding the loading dock with its canopy. The warehouse activity will operate through this lower building, with covered access for trucks from north and south ends. The new building facades to the streets express the office function by an aluminum and glass curtain wall and insulated panels finishing, crowned by a modern aluminum

trellis. This sector is divided through a mezzanine against south and east elevations. Transcargo offices will be located under the South mezzanine and the East area will be divided into three units occupying ground and first floor, connected by steel and glass staircases. Pedestrian access from both parking lots at street level will take place through both granite stairs and a handicapped ramp. The expansion will have the same brown steel sheeting as the existing building in order to achieve homogeneity. The dock area canopy at the existing building will be continued to act as a unifying ribbon between both buildings. At the same time, new materials will stress the difference in time and function between the existing and the new.

2010

CRÈDIT ANDORRÀ BANK Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

The Uruguayan headquarters of Crèdit Andorrà occupy a key position in the Quantum Building at Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay. Following a very quick development program, this two-store facility provided 450 m2 of bank office facilities. The architectural design preserved views towards the east and north of the building, towards the existing gardens and forest of this high-quality business park.

The entrance is positioned prominently at the middle of the space to take advantage of the views for the office areas. All the peripheral spaces are naturally ventilated and daylight is brought into the center of the building via a huge curtain wall system that runs the full length of the plan.

A central atrium contains a main stairway that serves as a connection with the upper office and break area level. The commission extended to the design of flexible furniture systems, including a reception desk, meeting tables and occasional tables.

Crèdit Andorrà Bank

2009 -

TATA HOUSING, ORAGADAM Housing, Residential, Cultural and Retail Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Le贸n Architects Oragadam, Chennai, India

Crescent Lake is a pioneering example of integrating living, studying, sharing commercial activities and working nearby, in only one location. In planning the site, we created a hierarchical street system ranging from wide, landscaped boulevards connecting the development areas to narrow streets and alleys in the residential villages. The road layouts in the residential villages vary in the different neighborhoods, but the general strategy is a curving grid punctuated by parks, monuments, ponds and common buildings that act as focal points. We opened the design up to the existing municipal lake, and forged connections to a neighboring highway and secondary streets, locating the different buildings in a way that demonstrates the value of good communication and the sharing of the main public spaces on an equal social basis. Creating a sense of place was a major effort of the master plan design, both for the retail and residential villages. The resultant strategy addresses the scale and location of parks, and the relationship of buildings with common spaces and streets, to create memorable addresses within each neighborhood. The urban and iconic architectural design, as well as the final master plan, reintroduce the idea of mixed- use Indian developments, encouraging a rich social mix, new private and public places, provided on both a local and a city scale. Half of the residential units were designated as low-cost housing.

(4) creating a new open space in the tradition of Indian parks and squares; (5) the six T-shaped, premium towers disposed in a semi circular floor plan shape, developed around the row apartments and the Club House. We were commissioned to create new residential buildings which take an equally radical approach in its form and ecology. After identifying the characteristics and opportunities of the program, the plot and the surroundings, we solved all functional, formal and contextual aspects of all destinies, always introducing new technologies to design these unique premium towers, road apartments with undulated terraces and ultimate design for affordable and EWS units. Computer design software helped us to arrive to the final solution and to all the previous alternative proposals. We integrated contemporary design with Indian traditions, creating a unique architecture with an exclusive interior design, always looking at the importance of views along, from and into the different spaces of all buildings. The different designs up from modular parts will be ingeniously constructed in the different apartments, terraces and rooftops, socializing spaces all around. The design evolved to maximize views towards the lake and the forest, both in affordable units as well as premium apartments.

The six residential 32-to-27-story premium towers with highly innovative design occupy a semicircular location, overlooking the lake, the row apartments and the clubhouse. All Premium units have great views towards the south and north orientations, as well as Affordable and EWS apartments. Daylight is drawn into the different residential units and the mall below, located beside the highway and the main entrance. A viewing gallery towards the surroundings and beyond will be offered in all residential units -premium, row apartments, affordable and EWS. All VAASTU principles were incorporated in the design of our master plan and different buildings. This Master plan aims to improve pedestrian and vehicle traffic and enjoyment of the area while enhancing the settings of the buildings, lake, plazas and the park, creating more green spaces in the process.

ecologically-sensitive and strive towards sustainability. As architects, with an eye on the potential of the site, it seemed obvious that in a mixed residential development the premium flats should share the best views towards the park and the lake. In all the residential units, whether they are in a second or a tenth story, you can look out across the Indian skyline, having a sublime contact with the sky and the weather. The skyline is constantly fascinating and punctuated by a surprising amount of greenery.

A project of this kind is a balancing act, which must promote genuinely integrated solutions to cater for the many needs of the owners and visitors, and can be

A challenging aspect of the design was accommodating the strict requirements of TATA HOUSING as regards the layout of units within changing envelopes in the different residential units, from EWS to PREMIUM row apartments. The rational modules which track their way up through the entire building only change at the different facades, The site, covering 10 hectares (24.7 acres), includes incorporating terraces and green vegetation all around. several residential buildings alongside, housing a lake Unique clubhouses with ultimate recreational amenities and a natural park. The master plan is an attempt incorporated in their different levels are connected to the to rediscover a culture of mixed use, encouraging surrounding gardens where tennis courts, playing fields the integration of cleaner surrounding industries into and swimming pools are located. We took the initiative residential neighborhoods and exploring the potential to conserve resources and put green building principles of greener, more ecologically-sensitive structures in into practice in recreational facilities, in order to achieve order to create a sustainable urban community. Five LEED Green Building Certification for the whole complex. organizational generators were identified in the urban Green building principles are already considered in the design: (1) the existing highway that interconnects the preliminary stages of our design process, reducing life project with the surrounding site; (2) an existing municipal cycle costs as well as building costs. As green principles lake was projected to be revitalized as a landmark for were employed in the design process, all the buyers will the site; (3) the proposed linear park of 10% plot area; be benefited, as well as future generations.

Tata Housing, Oragadam

2004 - 2016

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES, IT PARK, CHENNAI Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Chennai, India

A master plan for Siruseri Techno Park Chennai was established by State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) Limited, as part of the development of small, medium and large scale industries in Tamil Nadu, India. Located south-east of the main city, Siruseri has become the techno park heart of Chennai and is now home to many regional and multinational headquarters. The project stands on a sprawling 70 acres (28 Ha) plot, with 5 million sq. feet building facilities. The Master plan and complete Architectural and Interior design was done by the Uruguayan Architectural firm Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects. The Siruseri TCS IT Park will be the largest IT facility in all Asian regions. Intelligently designed and developed in an eco-friendly way, this innovative design demonstrates environmentally-friendly processes, techniques and systems to meet the requisites for energy-efficient buildings, ISO 14001 certifications, zero waste disposals, carbon footprint offset, etc. The Siruseri Campus already applied for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

(LEED) Certification for Platinum and Gold ratings. The project is an iconic development in the cyber corridor, distinct in style, grandeur and aesthetics. The architecture is unique, the buildings are engineering marvels, the construction methodology is novel, and the facilities are a cut above the rest. The complex is distinctive in the way it blends both business and lifestyle statements. It combines elements of traditional Indian architecture with modern design. A bird’s-eye view of the complex resembles butterfly wings intertwined with a central spine, while laterally the composition reminds of the architecture of Indian temples. Working in a highly inspired mode, the designers have included features meant to inspire creativity and harmony in associates’ work life on campus.

The complex is also notable for its microclimate performance based on an open atrium office buildings, giving a naturally ventilated system, and emphasizing on energy-efficient and environmental methods. An ecological stream beneath a large overhanging canopy of 400 meters provides a natural cooling system and the pond makes an important environmental contribution. The campus locates 12 software engineering buildings on a lavish scale, varying in height (eight of 5 stories and four of 7), and will home 22,000 IT professionals plus 8,000 other professionals. They will be located 6 in each side of the central spine which is 400 meters long and 42 meters high. Each block has two wings connected through bridges leading to the two central core structures which house the elevator lobby. The two wings and the cores structures are covered with expansive umbrella structures which, when viewed from above, resemble a large butterfly. The “central spine”, a remarkable architectural feature, is a mind-boggling structure, covered with a multiple 3-dimensional umbrella structure.

With water bodies, palm trees and landscaping, this central spine will be an area for associates to relax. At one end of the central spine stands the elegant and executive customer briefing block, with a towering structure rising from within. With a distinct design, this will be a signature building lording over the entire campus. The tower, as a cornerstone of TCS, will be the highest (130 meters high) in southern India and could provide breathtaking panoramic views of the zone.

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2010 - 2011

MAIN GATE ENTRANCE, ZONAMERICA Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

The bus system that arrives to Zonamerica needed new facilities for tenants. The project is an excellent demonstration of how the built environment influences the quality of our lives. The provision of spaces for cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians was conceived as a whole: architectural engineering, infrastructure and construction skills were integrated within a shared vision of the new main access.

flexibility for future changes and makes the spaces clearly legible. The lightweight elements such as stairs and ticket barriers are designed to be maintenance-free.

The curved forms of these spaces are expressive of the enormous forces they are designed to withstand. The bus system was very difficult to negotiate, relying on signage system and municipal and national approvals. The experience of moving so many vehicles and people in such a reduced space is dramatic. The concept offers

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2010 - 2014

CELEBRA OFFICE BUILDING Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

Commissioned by Zonamerica in celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010, Celebra Building was designed by Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de Leon Architects putting down a marker inside Zonamerica Park. It combines an extraordinary shape with the flexibility required in every office building. It aims to appeal to customers with the highest sets of demands, which are reflected in the design with emphasis in attaining LEED certification and bounding this building to make use of state-of-the-art technology in every area of this project. A seven-story office building which incorporates a number of spaces to meet the needs of staff and

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visitors, such as conference rooms, a business centre, a bank, a cafeteria and terraces on the upper floor. The ground floor is occupied by the lobby and the bank. The first level comprises the business centre and the above floors are offices. On the basement there are conference rooms, the lower level of the bank, cafeteria and service areas. The top floor is dedicated to penthouse offices, as well as terraces with unobstructed views. Some of the terraces are private, belonging to the offices located on that floor, while others are designed for public use.

THE ARCHITECTURE AWARD (OFFICE) URUGUAY

THE ARCHITECTURE AWARD (OFFICE) A ERICA

THE I TER ATIO AL ARCHITECTURE AWARD (OFFICE)

Celebra Office Building by Carlos OTT, Architects in Association With Carlos Ponce de Leon, Architects

The building can easily and economically adapt to frequent renovation and alteration, and each floor plan can be quickly divided according to each customer needs. Office infrastructure, interior systems, and furnishings are up to the challenge.

THE INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARD (OFFICE) Celebra Ofﬁce Building by Carlos OTT, Architects in Association With Carlos Ponce de Leon, Architects

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2011 - 2012

MERCK SERONO LABORATORIES Ponce de León Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

This factory building (under construction) located at Zonamerica Business & Technology Park, will be the Latin American headquearters of the German-Swiss Laboratory Merck Serono. This factory laboratory is committed to growing Merck Serono’s business in specialized therapeutic areas where their knowledge and experience can make a real difference for patients. They will achieve this through their own research and development plant, as well as through partnerships, which are an integral part of their strategy.

strategically sized to move quickly and adapt to opportunities in key markets such as Latin America. As a division of Merck, this factory laboratory combines financial stability and long-term vision with a familyowned heart and a pioneering spirit.

Over 17,000 employees strong today, they are big enough to make a difference on a global scale, yet

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2012 - 2013

GATE 3 ZONAMERICA Ponce de Le贸n Architects Zonamerica, Montevideo, Uruguay

Located at the west part of Zonamerica Business and Technology Park, Uruguay, South America, this entrance gate will accommodate customs facilities as well as guard pavilions to control this access point to the Free Trade Zone. The challenge was to update the existing image while delivering a highly flexible solution capable of adapting to this and other future entrances. The result is a double-curved modular canopy system, factory made and easily transported and installed on site, providing cost benefits while ensuring highquality standards. The canopy will be arranged in a predetermined sequence which ensures final quality for Zonamerica.

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2012 -

DUBAI - VENICE Masterplan, Hotel and Commercial Complex Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Dubai, UAE

be given to all the project building style, combining the The development is a proposal for a certain property located on the west side of Jumeirah Beach Road, U.A.E, use of the Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Arab influences. with an area of around 1.5 million sq. ft. and an allowed BUA of 20 million sq. ft. Chief examples of this style are the Doge’s Palace and The development is intended to have a central shopping the Ca’ d’Oro. The city also has several Renaissance mall with a high-end seven stars hotel component and a and Baroque buildings, including the Ca’ Pesaro and the luxurious resort facing the beach side. The development Ca’ Rezzonico. The development is meant to be a new destination for music, arts, fashion, shopping, tranquillity, is to be themed with Italian architecture features hospitality, leisure and festivals. All the project elements externally, and internally it will focus on the Venetian should work homogenously to reflect the desired theme theme, which is the most preferred by clients. with unique interiors and outstanding exteriors. We aim at implementing the rich and diverse architectural style of Venice and reflect it in all the project DUBAI - VENICE is meant to be the upcoming most important destination of Dubai with the most luxurious components. Venetian Gothic architecture is a term to

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shops and boutiques alongside well-defined water canals. As Dubai grows inevitably at a furious pace, more and more developments will need to create an added experience. This will not occur through their architectural wonder alone, but must occur through their role and place in the city. As such, DUBAI - VENICE must become a living and liveable environment. A seamless, focused space successfully combining residential villas, hotels and a shopping mall is critical in creating an identity that will become the most sought-after address in Dubai.

all directions of Dubai, DUBAI - VENICE can be the perfect combination of urban living that fuses rapid transportation, personal vehicular access, recreation, day and night experiences, and leisure activities of the highest quality. The Island facilities include a tourist port, different marinas with amenities and services that will enhance the value of the hotel complex.

With the close proximity of the famous current destinations, immediate access to all main roads in

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2012 - 2017

FORUM Residential Complex Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

The development of this residential mixed-use project reinforces the growing community of Pocitos, located opposite Puerto del Buceo, in a privileged point of the Rambla of Montevideo, alongside the River Plate and the marinas of this small yacht harbor. The development promotes a lively urban quarter that completes the existing block, located to the south of the Rambla, in a unique position at the 22nd km of the capital’s coast, where people can live, enjoy, rest and work, very near downtown Montevideo. The scheme comprises a huge building of more than 200 mts. long, linked together in 10 vertical nucleuses, looking towards a private internal garden distributed in three different levels. Shops, a business center, a

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restaurant, cafes and leisure facilities are grouped in the first two levels, with two parking levels below and residences located above, from four to nine levels, opposite the east port view. Its massing was designed to respect the neighboring building heights located west of the block, and to frame the view of the river and the port in the first two levels. The upward mass, designed towards the east, allowed a staggered facade on the north and south elevations, which allowed the creation of magnificent penthouses

with unique gardens and roof decks, covered by a oneof-a-kind wavy aluminum pergola on top that links the different green areas of this particular building.

The strong horizontal lines of the external and internal continuous balconies reinforce a sense of visual order along the composition.

Both external and internal facades are principally made of glass, used in a range of transparency to create elevations that vary in appearance and sparkle depending on their location regarding the light conditions and the changing viewpoints.

The typical floors of the apartments are arranged around the different vertical cores, which contain 270 units from 1 to 4 bedrooms and unique double-height penthouses with their barbecues, pools, decks and open gardens looking to the sun and to the Pocitos bay. The balconies and the gardens are an extension of internal living spaces and are deep enough for outdoor dining.

Curved balconies towards all elevations, as well as internal facades with clear glass balconies, are accessed from the residential units through full-height sliding glazed All the units have independent heating systems, and dark aluminum panels, which allow the apartments to allow spaces to be modified giving the tenant the open out onto the north, east and south ramblas, the possibility of flexibility in the main spaces of the units. Port, and the internal three-level gardens.

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2011 - 2012

FINCA MOLDAVIA Boutique Hotel Ponce de Le贸n Architects Maldonado, Uruguay

The design of houses poses very different challenges to those of designing the larger-scale building types for which our practice is better known.

Natural materials were used in this project, as white stone from Mar del Plata, Argentina, white ceramic tiles from Brazil, and wooden floors also from the northern country.

We have, however, designed houses and farm hotels for individual clients, as in this case. Located 3 km away from the Atlantic Ocean coast, and in between La Barra and Jos茅 Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay, this construction will be a mixture between a house and a farm hotel.

The one-story main house pavilion and guest rooms looks towards the slopes of the beautiful Uruguayan countryside, with a stream and some forests located towards the north of the property. Sheltered by natural surrounding landscape, it enjoys fine views across the gallerias, towards the vineyards and the main central patio courtyard.

The house floats on the slope of the countryside. It is divided in four different pavilions: main house and guest rooms, spa, lake pavilion and service area. Double-height sliding glazed doors lead onto external decks, protected from sunlight by a huge roof cover.

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The unusual combination of inside and outside circulation enables the house to offer the family and their guest friends an exceptional degree of community, while respecting privacy. A particular round-shaped brick and wood wine cellar was located underground, below the living room area of the main pavilion.

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2012

ZONAMERICA/SLI LOGISTIC AND BUSINESS PARK & PORT Ponce de León Architects Panama Canal, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá

This project is located at the country’s most lucrative and sought-after areas for port facilities, port terminal and logistics in Panama Canal, Panama City, Panama. This close to the water port facility is government owned, but it was leased to a private company for thirty years. SLI is creating a new quality property in association with Uruguayan Zonamerica Business and Technology Park. This former U.S. Navy Base called RODMAN is located just between the Panama Canal and the highway that connects the downtown Pacific area with the North Atlantic port of Colón. The particular coast shape and location, not only maximizes the port area, operated nowadays by Singapore Port, but also gives the project a specific identity. The areas beside the coast, as well as those

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areas located in the nearby mainland behind the hill, will also be developed with prestigious buildings and complexes that will reuse existing marine houses remodeled for office purposes. The proposed master plan will manage the second size port of Panama City. The scheme intends to connect the highway with the water’s edge and with areas north of the harbor. It includes new construction and selective refurbishment to provide logistic, light industries and office facilities. The new complex will be a focal point of the harbor redevelopment.

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2012 - 2014

CASSA GEORGETOWN Carlos Ponce de LeĂłn Architects Miami, USA

Located in Lauderhill, west of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida, U.S., this 118 multi housing complex is developed by TSG PARAGON DEVELOPMENT who has the vision of developing exceptional mid-range priced residential multi-family projects in middle class and upper middle class neighborhoods of South Florida.

curved strip, and faces the same street as well as the existing southern park.

Each two â&#x20AC;&#x201C; level house 2 & 3 bedroom units are entered through an informal veranda approached through a small front garden. Variety along the length is provided by the rhythm of balconies, windows, shingle roofs and large Innovation, open spaces and community for all, represent windows that sit above the verandas and gardens. The this new concept of housing where design, quality living areas lie on the side of the gardens with great views materials and modern living become available to the towards the lake and the park. American family. As far as the environment is concerned, it adopts A wide central avenue with existing lines of mature trees sustainability criteria and maintains the permeability of forms the backbone of the master plan. The north houses the land. are located along this axis and have two frontages, one facing an existing lake and the other facing the street. The south houses are located parallel to the previous

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2012 - 2016

ABITAB HEADQUARTERS Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Companies usually grow as their business expands along time. For this reason we rarely find companies which can conceive their corporative offices since their take off. A company’s headquarters must balance organization’s needs with its operation. Success is the direct result of correspondence between the organization and the space configuration designed for its correct function. Any building erected today must allow the incorporation of technological devices, specially information and communication technology, thermal conditioning and natural lighting. This type of building allows designing a creative space according to the company’s needs which condition the

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project and are essential to elaborate a suitable proposal to the client. Flexible and dynamic areas capable of hosting company’s different sectors are very important thus attaining versatile and functional spaces.

invites pedestrian to access.

Geometrical opposition of different volumes will result in a very expressive and structurally coherent construction with conceptual clarity, strict order and visual purity.

The final result of this project, which has pursued its essence in imagination and its substance in sensitive composition, will be a functional complex, esthetically appealing and very respectful of its context.

Each multifunctional module’s forms integrate the building with the surrounding city and conform a forecourt at Fernandez Crespo Street which

Once inside, the multiple-height lobby and elevators connect all building levels. Interior space at each level flows openly promoting distribution of working areas required by Abitab.

maximum of natural resources. Natural ventilation and lighting was a priority and an innovative energy model was implemented, exceeding standard recommendations for this type of building. Handicapped full accessibility makes of this building a model for future constructions. Generous underground parking is complemented by two others at ground floor level, accessible through Batoví and Quito streets.

Typical office floor accounts for total flexibility and maximum natural lighting, since façades are totally glazed, portraying floor to ceiling curtain-wall. Energy saving and carbon dioxide emission reduction influenced design process from initial stages thus comprising the

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2013 - 2016

CASSA BRICKELL Carlos Ponce de León Architects Miami, USA

As architects we are rarely given the opportunity to influence the urban environment on the broadcast scale by planning an entire city or neighbourhood, but we can improve the environment at a local level by insisting on the need for mixed –use developments, such as living and working in one location. The fact in creating more green spaces is extremely important for us, as well as adaptability in all our designs, that is one of the most important tools insustainable architecture.

community that surrounds Brickell Avenue.

Directors of TSG invited our practice to present some sketches for this new development, very near Brickell Avenue. After the first approachs, we arrived to the preliminary sketches that satisfied our clients.

All facades, with clear glass balustrades are accessed through full height sliding glazed panels, which allows the apartments to open out onto the surrounding areas. The strong horizontal lines of the balconies reinforces a sense of visual order, allowing perfect views for each unit.

Immediately we started with the design development, arriving to a project that reinforces this existing

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The building and massing has been designed to respect the heights allowed by the authorities and neighbouring buildings and to frame the view of Miami skyline. The facades are principally of glass, used in a range of translucency to create elevations which vary in appearance and sparkle according to prevailing light conditions and changing viewpoints.

The form responds to the specific demands of the small

site and the local regulations, maximizing space and daylight penetration at all levels. The building`s environmental strategy focuses on a series of sky gardens and sky balconies. The gardens form part of the building shape, and the roof top is where most of the amenities are located, to assure the best views for all owners and visitors. While it may appear sculptural, the simple form of this building is carefully considered. Possibly uniquely in this part of Miami, Cassa Brickell provides a mix of living with a wide range of options from one to three bedrooms. The apartments share a doubleheight entrance lobby that connects the residents with the spacious lifts up to their flats.

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2012 - 2016

AUDI ZENTRUM Carlos Ponce de León Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Audi Montevideo 5.500 m2 flagship store will be located at the junction of Saldún de Rodríguez Street and LATU (Laboratorio Tecnológico del uruguay) Buildings, located only one block away from Portones Shopping Centre, at Carrasco, Montevideo, Uruguay. It promises to be a onestop terminal for buying new and old cars, servicing and accessorizing your Audi.

identity. Hence, although space constraints resulted in the building’s characteristic rectangular shape, Audi’s signature is imperceptibly evident in every corner of the Terminal, such as the showroom’s evident curves – reminiscent of racetracks – that reinforce brand identity. Honeycomb aluminum cladding wraps the exterior in a matrix of hexagonal cutouts while cantilevered upper floors, coupled with the lower floors’ full-height glass windows, make the building appear to float.

The building will stand only partially two-storeys high, with its showroom spanning a double height level, the workshop one, and one each for a warehouse and for the These unique features add futuristic sophistication to the used car pavilion. Corporate offices will be located on renowned Audi brand, creating a purpose-built complex top of Audi showroom. for the ultimate Audi experience. The design concept was to localize the international Audi Terminal template to suit local Carrasco conditions, without compromising on its well-established corporate

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2014 - 2016

NATURA Carlos Ponce de LeĂłn Architects Montevideo, Uruguay

Our work displays a rare concern for those timeless aspects of architecture that transcend fashion. We always want to produce an architecture responding to the local culture as it is to regional variations in climate and landscape. Architecture is both an interior and an exterior experience. The best architecture comes from a synthesis of all the element that separately comprise a building: from its relationship to the streetscape or skyline to the structure that holds it up, the different services that it allow it to work, the ecology of the building, the materials used, the character of the spaces, the use of light and shade, the symbolism of the form and the way it signals its presence in the city or the countryside. Successful sustainable architecture addresses all these things and many more.

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Located at Parque Miramar, Canelones, Uruguay, NATURA project comprises three residential buildings, located around a particular small lake located in the center of the block. The double entrance to a single level of parking areas beneath the entire site is discreetly tucked under the raised garden terraces of the residential blocks, effectively removing cars and service vehicles from the street to ensure to have nice views towards the small rectangular lake. The three buildings are entered from bridge ramps, which are wide enough to be inhabited. The outward â&#x20AC;&#x201C; facing zones of all units are given over entirely to living rooms with generous glazing and sliding doors that give all the apartments a sense of connection with the nature that surrounds this fantastic location.

The project is conceived as a stack of individual houses, A wooden pier connects the deck with the lake and also allows the residents to practice water sports during all where each house is unique and identifiable within the overall stack. A careful investigation of local construction the year. methods revealed the possibility of shifting and varying floor slabs to create corners, cantilevers and balconies all welcome strategies for providing individual and different conditions in each apartment in every level. In all elevations of each block, groups of vertical garden columns will be suspended from concrete roofs and pergolas, ending a few meters above the different ground apartment surfaces. Beside the lake, a rectangular swimming pool is located, surrounded by huge communal gardens and two roof garden pavilions, a multi use pavilion and a gym located on the other side of the deck.

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2014 -

TOSA TOWER Carlos Ott Architects in association with Carlos Ponce de León Architects Asunción, Paraguay

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The TOSA TOWER at Asunción del Paraguay, the most distinctive of a new generation of tall buildings in this country, will become a symbol of the capital and that rare phenomenon in Paraguay, a genuinely popular new tower.

The building has almost 11.000 sq. meters, distributed in a hotel, office flats and a residential unit on the top of the roof. The lobby atrium is in the spirit of the design intention, as it is a place to pause and enjoy, a space of civic dignity.

Its dramatic “cobra snake” sharp and prominent position just on top of Paraguay River have naturally made it a landmark. In the design of this new building located inside a master planned community and just some meters away from a speedo and yacht harbor, we had the chance to create environments that people enjoy, and that will bring life to the site and for sure the landlord will appreciate it in commercial terms. This is a building with an air of generosity, particularly in terms of its urban contribution.

We designed the greenest tower of the city. Our office pursues research and development programmes through our commissions, and we were encouraged by developers in our open minded search for this particular shape that will charecterise the building itself.

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Tosa Tower

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www.poncedeleonarchitects.com contact@poncedeleonarchitects.com +598 2 6010683 / 2 6007993 Gabriel Otero 6492, Montevideo, 11500, Uruguay