Cristalerías de Chile S.A.

by Guillermo Hevia H.

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Architects: Guillermo Hevia H.
Collaborators: Francisco Carrión G. - Marcela Suazo M.
Location: Ruta 5 Norte km. 85, Llay-Llay – V Región.
Site Area: 27  há
Built Area: 27.500  m2
Project Year: 2006

An undulating covering which serves as representation of the geography of the place, following the direction of the prevailing winds. The use of multiple sustainable technologies creates an environment favorable for work and for the production of glass bottles.

The new Cristalchile Plant in Llay-Llay (wind-wind in the Mapuche language), 85 km to the north of Santiago is placed at the forefront of world-class industrial architecture through its use of Bioclimatic technologies (geothermal, wind, aeronautical, light, acoustical) in the buildings as well as in the production processes. It is committed towards sustainability, energy saving (in lighting, electricity and fuel), the quality of life and environmental protection.

The architecture plays a main role in accomplishing these objectives. Be it night or day, the undulating shape of the big rising roof is an image of a covering moving in the winds of the place, and the transparency of the glass façades gives a translucent view of the production process. These façades convey an architectural design that is simple and encompassing, putting emphasis on the management of light and shade. This design is on a monumental scale and takes meaning from its immediate surroundings and the geography of the place.

The volume is located diagonally from the highway, which creates depth and perspective to the compound. It maximizes the direction of the wind in the most efficient way to serve the warmer zones of the production process through openings in the façades.

The glass façades (production areas) are designed with 70% transparency and 30% opacity in the south-western direction (highway). This situation is reversed on the opposite side.

We believe it is necessary to stress that this is an industry, where there are production processes and perhaps more importantly, a place where people work. We intend to dignify the architecture in the use of simple design materials and natural resources, and through it, seek to give input and a message to society.