Garúa awarded 3rd place at CAP Ancash Competition

At Garúa, we are pleased to announce that we have been awarded 3rd place in the Architectural Design Competition organized by the College of Architects of Peru – Áncash Regional Chapter. Our proposal, Tawa Ratu, stood out for its focus on sustainable design, institutional openness, and dialogue with the urban context.

The competition site included two existing structures: a two-story concrete building with potential for expansion, and a lightweight hexagonal steel pavilion used for exhibitions and offices. Our proposal suggested removing the latter to optimize the site’s use and strengthen the integration between the new and the existing.

The architectural strategy was based on two main operations:

• Reconfiguration of the existing auditorium building, wrapping it with a new skin to achieve formal unity.

• Incorporation of a new expressive volume, defined by exposed concrete frames that provide a contemporary character, transparency, and openness to the city.

The design integrates bioclimatic strategies such as ventilated double roofing, brise-soleil, passive solar gains, and photovoltaic panels, enhancing both energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Its architectural language draws inspiration from the pre-Hispanic monumentality of Chavín de Huántar, reinterpreted through exposed concrete and transparent glass in a contemporary way.

Beyond materiality, Tawa Ratu challenges the enclosed character of many institutional headquarters by introducing a covered atrium that acts as a transitional public space, reinforcing the spirit of the College of Architects as an accessible and dynamic institution.

This recognition strengthens our vision of a Latin American architecture that integrates sustainability, cultural identity, and social openness.

👉 See the full competition results here: CAP Áncash – Architectural Design Competition

Team: Carolina Sthefany León Ojeda, Juan Antonio Caycho Berrocal, Álvaro Guerra Jované (Garúa), Rocio Milagros Vega Aguirre