Studiohuerta’s Energy-Passive CETYS University Center for Postgraduate Studies A Welcome Rarity For Mexico

In what is predicted to be the hottest fall on record, STRUKTR is excited to announce that New York and San Diego-based design firm, Studiohuerta, has unveiled their energy-passive building for Postgraduate Studies at the Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS University) in Meixcali, Mexico. Using innovative approaches to old-world design methods, Studiohuerta combines technique and technology in their dynamically sustainable postgraduate center located in Mexicali, Mexico’s extremely arid climate.

The Center boasts an interior designed to efficiently circulate air from the outermost classrooms and offices through hallways, and into the large, inner-most public areas where, as the air becomes heated by surrounding energy, it is released out through solar chimneys. This pre-Industrial technique commonly found in Middle Eastern countries, is a passive way of circulating air in hot climates, and effectively reduces the need for conventional, mechanized cooling systems. Though this practice is still common in pre-Industrial countries, in Mexico, solar chimneys are rare. “Because Mexico is a new country in many ways, it's predominantly industrial. Energy-passive design is still rare," says Gabriel Huerta, Owner and Principal of Studiohuerta. Huerta himself became familiar with solar chimney technology during his studies in Environmental Design at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a program directed by esteemed environmental design expert, Javier Neila.

A veil of aluminum mesh covers the 47,000 square-foot (4,400-square-metre) building’s exterior, an initial protective layer against heat. Beneath this screen, the Center's two-foot thick walls help isolate interior and exterior temperatures, and also houses the building's requisite anti-seismic structure; a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Mexicali in 2010, leading to rigorous updates of building codes in the region. The building’s numerous cube windows, “puncture, expand, and expose the solid walls like stones cast in a riverbed at varying depths,” says Huerta. The Center’s interior windows facilitate the flow of the heated air, without obstruction, into the inner-most public areas to be released out the building's solar chimney. Other, exterior-facing cubes create strategic vistas that enable the Center’s private spaces to interact with the rest of campus, particularly the University’s adjoining quad.

Studiohuerta is a multi-disciplinary design firm based in Brooklyn, New York and San Diego, California. Founded by Gabriel Huerta in 2011, the firm unites professionals from a diverse array of cultural and educational backgrounds in a commitment to sustainable techniques and design practices across architecture, urbanism, and environmental design.

Why Instagram Really Matters For Design + Architecture Pros

Instagram really does matter for design and architecture professionals - and it may not be for the reason you think. 

Instagram is more than place to gawk at photos of beautifully composed plates of food. On Instagram, the amount of followers you acquire can translate to real business leads and architecture and design publicity. As a design pro or architect, Instagram has the ability to elevate your brand and your business. Here are 5 reasons why Instagram really matters for you.

1. It's an active community

The majority of engaged audiences are congregating on Instagram. Obviously there are still plenty of other social media outlets like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, Linkedin and Twitter, but Instagram has over 500 million active users per month. That means you have access to an audience of 500 million people who not only have accounts, but actually use those accounts on a consistent basis. You would have to add snapchat, Twitter and Pinterest together to equal that in active users. In 2015, Twitter even reported its active user base stopped growing entirely, virtually coming to a complete halt. 

2. It’s how you make a great first impression

Your Instagram gallery may be the first interaction people have with your brand - even before your website. Curating engaging and beautiful visuals in your Instagram gallery is integral for creating a quality first-impression. The photos in your Instagram gallery have the power to establish you as a design expert.  On Instagram, followers come for the gorgeous aesthetics, and they stay for the engaging content you’re sharing.

3. Instagram is a built-in audience of design-lovers.

Forget about wondering where you can reach your audience - they’re waiting for you on Instagram. The platform is built entirely around aesthetics. Its user base is already design-oriented; they are predisposed to like what you, as a designer, are offering. Instagram is a natural fit for your brand.

4. It converts

Instagram generates leads. No, really. It does. I say this from personal experience. Every week I significantly grow my follower base and every week I generate real leads that become phone calls, in-person meetings, and client signings. With consistent growth it’s possible to generate high quality leads without spending big advertising bucks. 

5. Instagram makes hiring easy

As your business grows you’ll no doubt be looking to add active, engaged employees who love your brand. You’ll likely need to look only as far as your own Instagram following to find the perfect candidate. These potential candidates are  people who are literally following your brand - it doesn’t get any more engaged than that.

This blog post was originally written by STRUKTR Studios for HomeAdvisor.