A4 Architects: Manzana 40 Plaza Empresarial, Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia

The Manzana 40 Plaza Empresarial development, designed by Chilean firm A4 Arquitectos, adds innovative architecture to Avenida San Martín, in a commercial and financial area in the heart of the city of Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia. It is made up of two towers connected by a seven-level base, each with 30 floors. Almost identical, they have a slender, subtly curved shape. The complex has a total built area of 100,000 square meters.

The project is located on a plot of land facing important roads in the city. The first floor houses commercial spaces. There is a medical floor, a gastronomic boulevard and, on the seventh floor, an auditorium, meeting rooms, gym, cafeteria-restaurant, events area and outdoor gardens. Next are the business floors.

A ventilated façade system was chosen, in which the external cladding is designed to create a space between the structure of the building and the envelope itself (so that air can circulate between the layers). This allows for benefits such as thermal insulation, protection against humidity and greater optimization of energy use (the reduction in consumption in this case reaches 30%).

In addition to this system, a number of sustainability-oriented solutions have made Manzana 40 the first building in Bolivia to receive LEED certification, awarded by the United States Green Building Council to buildings that meet requirements related to a high standard of energy efficiency, improved indoor environmental quality, efficient use of water, sustainable development of open spaces and appropriate selection of materials.

The façades also received RGB LED lights, which provide an innovative aesthetic at night, while remaining in line with the premise of economy. To overcome the complexity of the architecture and engineering, which generated 23 simultaneous projects, and optimize the construction process, everything was coordinated digitally using the BIM system.

In terms of infrastructure, other highlights include the large parking lot, with 840 spaces (670 for owners and 170 for visitors), which has places to recharge electric cars; and additional storage spaces and warehouses that can be rented or bought by companies. To ensure safe and fast vertical circulation, 16 elevators, two escalators and four pressurized stairs have been installed.

Internally, the project prioritized detail in the finishes and the specification of high-quality, low-maintenance coverings. To this end, they relied on products from the Brazilian brand Eliane, which appear in various areas of the development. The architects chose for the Manzana 40 spaces the Flat AC tiles (in 59 x 59 cm and 59 x 118.2 cm formats, this porcelain tile balances the rough texture of cement with a polished effect); Diamante (White AC; 33.5 x 60 cm), which contributes to a contemporary and timeless identity; and Reserva Natural (19 x 118.2 cm), with a woody aesthetic.

Photo 01: Manzana 40 Plaza Empresarial is a project developed by Chilean firm A4 Arquitectos in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia (Credit: publicity / Manzana 40)

Photo 02: The complex consists of two towers connected by a foundation (Credit: publicity / Manzana 40)

Photo 03: Designed with innovation and technology, Manzana 40 was the first building in Bolivia to receive LEED certification (Credit: publicity / Manzana 40)

Photo 04: Diamante White cladding

Photo 05: Flat coating

Photo 06: Flat coating

Photo 07: Reserva Natural cladding

Photo 08: Reserva Natural cladding

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