Veritas University – Auditorium and Workshops - Icesa Ingenieros y Arquitectos

Night view of the illuminated east facade of Veritas University, showing the workshops, atrium, and auditorium

Central atrium-ramp of Veritas University, flanked by the auditorium and workshop buildings

Veritas University Auditorium's north facade, composed of corrugated metal panels and pine wood with a long exterior ramp in bright yellow

Sunrise at the east facade of Veritas University, revealing the interiors of the workshops

Partial view of the east facade and plaza of Veritas University Auditorium and Workshop, capturing the diverse architectural features

Full frontal view of Veritas University Auditorium, showcasing the intricate design and material use.

East facade of Veritas University, showing the glass gallery, central glass atrium entrance, and the yellow exterior steel stair of the workshop building

Close-up view of the V-braced steel column, an essential structural element in the Veritas University Auditorium

West view of Veritas University Auditorium and Workshop, depicting the separated volumes by the glass atrium

Veritas University - Auditorium and Workshops

ICESA, in collaboration with Carlos Azofeifa, has pushed the boundaries of architectural innovation with the design of the Veritas University Auditorium and Design Workshops. A unique institution, Veritas University, champions the creative arts – from Architecture and Interior Design to Animation and Photography. This project was not merely about crafting a structure; it was about encapsulating the institution’s ethos and empowering the creative journeys of its students.

Envisioned as a living classroom, the structure manifests tectonic ideas, sustainability, and programmatic flexibility – mirroring Veritas University’s core values. It includes two distinct bodies – the introverted auditorium and the dynamic design workshops, positioned to balance their contrasting characteristics and control solar light penetration.

The auditorium, located to the north, is a self-contained entity, radiating robust character with its solid, insulated form. In contrast, the workshops are set to the south, their light-filled, transparent spaces in constant flux, designed to invite the outside in, sparking creativity and innovation.

At the heart of these contrasting bodies is a dynamic, triple-height central atrium awash with zenithal light. An asymmetric ramp connects this space, encouraging student interactions and fostering a vibrant atmosphere. This architectural feat blends seamlessly into the university’s main square, symbolizing the educational journey taking place within.

Materials were selected for their practicality and aesthetic quality, with corrugated zinc-aluminum panels chosen for their cost-effectiveness, lightness, easy maintenance, and bioclimatic advantages. This, combined with touches of wood to soften the visual impact, culminates in a calm, understated yet impactful institutional building with a theatrical presence. The Veritas University Auditorium and Design Workshops truly epitomize a blend of architecture and pedagogy, empowering students to create, learn, and grow.

Location: San José, Costa Rica
Area: 4500m2
Status: Built