ESO Press Photos 05a-o/02

7 February 2002
For immediate release

Coming Home at Paranal

Unique "Residencia" Opens at the VLT Observatory

Summary

The Paranal Residencia at the ESO VLT Observatory is now ready and the staff and visitors have moved into their new home.

This major architectural project has the form of a unique subterranean construction with a facade opening towards the Pacific Ocean , far below at a distance of about 12 km. Natural daylight is brought into the building through a 35-m wide glass-covered dome, a rectangular courtyard roof and various skylight hatches.

Located in the middle of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas on Earth, the Residencia incorporates a small garden and a swimming pool, allowing the inhabitants to retreat from time to time from the harsh outside environment. Returning from long shifts at the VLT and other installations on the mountain, here they can breathe moist air and receive invigorating sensory impressions. With great originality of the design, it has been possible to create an interior with a feeling of open space - this is a true "home in the desert" .

Moreover, with strict ecological power, air and water management , the Paranal Residencia has already become a symbol of innovative architecture in its own right. Constructed with robust, but inexpensive materials, it is an impressively elegant and utilitarian counterpart to the VLT high-tech facilities poised some two hundred meters above, on the top of the mountain.

PR Photo 05a/02 : Aerial view of the Paranal Observatory area.
PR Photo 05b/02 : Aerial view of the Paranal Residencia .
PR Photo 05c/02 : Outside view of the Paranal Residencia .
PR Photo 05d/02 : The Entry Hall (fisheye view).
PR Photo 05e/02 : The Entry Hall with garden and pool.
PR Photo 05f/02 : The Reception Area .
PR Photo 05g/02 : The Reception Area - decoration.
PR Photo 05h/02 : The Reception Area - decoration.
PR Photo 05i/02 : The Reception Area - decoration.
PR Photo 05j/02 : View towards the Cantine .
PR Photo 05k/02 : View towards the Kitchen .
PR Photo 05l/02 : View of the Corridors .
PR Photo 05m/02 : A Bedroom .
PR Photo 05n/02 : The main facade in evening light .
PR Photo 05o/02 : View from the Observing Platform towards the Residencia in evening light.

The Paranal Residencia

ESO PR Photo 05a/02

[Preview - JPEG: 611 x 400 pix - 73k]
[Normal - JPEG: 1222 x 800 pix - 936k]
[HiRes - JPEG: 3000 x 1964 pix - 4.6M]

ESO PR Photo 05b/02

[Preview - JPEG: 619 x 400 pix - 92k]
[Normal - JPEG: 1238 x 800 pix - 944k]
[HiRes - JPEG: 3000 x 1938 pix - 3.1M]

Caption : PR Photo 05a/02 shows an aerial view of the Paranal Observatory. Below the observing platform at the top of the mountain - at a distance of about 3 km - is the Base Camp with the technical area (to the right of the road) and the new Residencia building (left of the road). To the extreme left is a temporary container camp of the construction company. PR Photo 05b/02 shows the Base Camp in more detail. In the course of 2002, many of the containers on the right side will be removed. The square building in the foreground to the left of the entrance gate is the future "Visitors' Centre".- A dummy 8.2-m concrete mirror is also placed here. These photos were made by ESO engineer Gert Hüdepohl during the final construction phase in late 2001.

Ever since the construction of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal began in 1991, staff and visitors have resided in cramped containers in the "Base Camp". This is one of driest and most inhospitable areas in the Chilean Atacama Desert and eleven years is a long time to wait. However, there was never any doubt that the construction of the telescope itself must have absolute priority.

Nevertheless, with the major technical installations in place, the time had come to develop a more comfortable and permanent base of living at Paranal, outside the telescope area.

A unique architectural concept

The concept for the Paranal Residencia emerged from a widely noted international architectural competition, won by Auer and Weber Freie Architekten from Munich (Germany), and with Dominik Schenkirz as principal designer. The interior furnishing and decoration was awarded to the Chilean architect Paula Gutierrez .

The construction began in late 1998. Information about this work and several photos illustrating the progress have been published as PR Photos 31a-d/99 , PR Photo 43h/99 and PR Photos 04b-d/01 .

Taking advantage of an existing depression in the ground, the architects created a unique subterranean construction with a single facade opening towards the Pacific Ocean , far below at a distance of about 12 km. It has the same colour as the desert and blends perfectly into the surroundings. The Paranal Residencia is elegant, with robust and inexpensive materials.

Natural daylight is brought into the building through a 35-m wide glass-covered dome, a rectangular courtyard roof and various skylight hatches. The great originality of this design has made it possible to create an interior with a feeling of open space, despite the underground location. Some building characteristics are indicated below

Facilities at the Residencia

To the visitor who arrives at the Paranal Residencia from the harsh natural environment, the welcoming feeling under the dome is unexpected and instantly pleasant. This is a true "oasis" within coloured concrete walls and the air is agreeably warm and moist. There is a strong sense of calm and serenity and, above all, a feeling of coming home . At night, the lighting below the roofing closure fabric is spectacular and the impression on the mind is overwhelming.

The various facilities are integrated over four floors below ground level. They include small, but nice and simple bedrooms, offices, meeting points, a restaurant, a library, a reception area, a cinema and other recreational areas. The natural focal point is located next to the reception at the entrance. The dining room articulates the building at the -2 level and view points through the facade form bridges between the surrounding Paranal desert and the interior.

Simple, but elegant furnishing and specially manufactured carpeting complement a strong design of perspectives. The Republic of Chile, the host state for the ESO Paranal Observatory, is present with its emblematic painter Roberto Matta . Additional space is also provided for a regional art and activity display.

The staff moved out of the containers and into their new home in mid-January 2002. Today, the Paranal Residencia has already become a symbol of innovative architecture in its own right, an impressively elegant and utilitarian counterpart to the VLT high-tech facilities poised some two hundred meters above, on the top of the mountain.

Some building characteristics

Construction initiated in 1998
Area: 10000 m 2
Total cost: 12 Million Euro (less than 2% of the total cost of the VLT project), approx. 1200 Euro/m 2
108 bedrooms, each with 16 m 2
Cantine capacity for 200 persons
22 offices
5 terraces/viewpoints
70-seat cinema room
Multiple meeting areas
Double room library
Building management control for the environment and the lighting
Swimming pool; water treatment and grey water recirculation
Modular concept with potential for extension to 200 rooms
Completely light-tight and with a high level of sound insulation
Communication network with phone and TV-set in each room
Main contractors: Vial y Vives, Petricio Industrial, Koch

The Paranal Residencia: A Photo Collection

ESO PR Photo 05c/02 [Preview - JPEG: 1092 x 400 pix - 208k] [Normal - JPEG: 2184 x 800 pix - 1.5M] [FullRes - JPEG: 2785 x 1020 pix - 1.0M] Caption : This photo shows the Residencia, looking towards West. The linear construction used to fill the natural depression of the ground in this area is evident. The 35-m central dome protrudes from the "filled-in" valley. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05d/02 [Preview - JPEG: 430 x 400 pix - 162k] [Normal - JPEG: 860 x 800 pix - 1.2M] [FullRes - JPEG: 1290 x 1200 pix - 1.0M]	Caption : A fisheye view of the dome from the inside of the building. Below the "oasis" and the swimming pool. The vertical structure at the centre is an umbrella that is deployed at sunset and during the night to protect the VLT Observatory from all artifical light. The entrance into the Residencia is via the ramp on the left side and the reception Area is to the right. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05e/02 [Preview - JPEG: 534 x 400 pix - 162k] [Normal - JPEG: 1067 x 800 pix - 1.1M] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1200 pix - 1.0M]	Caption : The swimming pool at the lowest floor of the Residencia was introduced into the project as a part of the humidification system. However, it also serves as an important psychological element that helps to overcome the harsh living conditions, especially for the permanent staff. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05f/02 [Preview - JPEG: 966 x 250 pix - 128k] [Normal - JPEG: 1931 x 500 pix - 1.2M] [HiRes - JPEG: 3000 x 777 pix - 2.5M] Caption : A panorama of the Reception Area with the entry to the Cantine in the background. The essential construction and the warm colour of the concrete walls are clearly visible and help to give the feeling of being "at home". Photo: Massimo Tarenghi

ESO PR Photo 05g/02 [Preview - JPEG: 534 x 400 pix - 112k] [Normal - JPEG: 1067 x 800 pix - 808k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1200 pix - 960k]	Caption : A series of woollen, handmade rugs were specially designed by the Chilean artist Luz Méndes ), with motives from astronomical images, spectra and interferogrammes obtained at the Paranal Observatory. They decorate the common space of the building. The one seen on this photo displays the Pavo interacting galaxies , cf. PR Photo 20b/99 . Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05h/02 [Preview - JPEG: 534 x 400 pix - 112k] [Normal - JPEG: 1067 x 800 pix - 816k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1200 pix - 600k]	Caption : Another, smaller rug reproduces the Fourier Transform of the first interferometric measurement obtained at Paranal on the bright star Sirius , cf. PR Photo 10a/01 . Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05i/02 [Preview - JPEG: 400 x 559 pix - 73k] [Normal - JPEG: 800 x 1023 pix - 976k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1116 x 1558 pix - 1.0M]	Caption : Two paintings by Chilean artist Roberto Mata decorate a wall in the Reception Area. Above: "Etoile de Jardin"; below: "Perser l'Invisible" (both carborundum etching on handmade paper) Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05j/02 [Preview - JPEG: 1029 x 400 pix - 160k] [Normal - JPEG: 2058 x 800 pix - 1.4M] [HiRes - JPEG: 3000 x 1166 pix - 2.3M] Caption : The entry to the Cantine at night. Two hundred persons can be served here. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 02k/02 [Preview - JPEG: 534 x 400 pix - 84k] [Normal - JPEG: 1067 x 800 pix - 744k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1200 pix - 920k]	Caption : From the Cantine it is possible to observe the preparation of the meals in a modern and well-equipped kitchen. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05l/02 [Preview - JPEG: 539 x 400 pix - 84k] [Normal - JPEG: 1077 x 800 pix - 744k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1582 x 1175 pix - 920k]	Caption : A series of ramps and balconies provide access to the individual rooms and to a second Courtyard with palmtrees and a relaxing reading space. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05m/02 [Preview - JPEG: 534 x 400 pix - 63k] [Normal - JPEG: 1067 x 800 pix - 704k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1200 pix - 704k]	Caption : A functional and essential room of 16 m 2 with all communication connections allow staff and visitor to work and rest. Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .

ESO PR Photo 05n/02 [Preview - JPEG: 610 x 400 pix - 112k] [FullRes - JPEG: 1196 x 784 pix - 600k]	Caption : The long, facade opens towards the Pacific Ocean and provides a great view of the colourful sunset. The terrace in the middle is part of the Cantine Area but can only be used when the wind is not too strong. Photo: Gert Hüdepohl .

ESO PR Photo 05o/02 [Preview - JPEG: 543 x 400 pix - 96k] [Normal - JPEG: 1185 x 800 pix - 1.0M] [FullRes - JPEG: 1600 x 1080 pix - 1.1M]	Caption : A view of the Residencia at sunset, as seen from the Telescope Platform at the top of the mountain. A narrow path connects the top with the Residencia and invites to a nice 45-min downhill walk! Photo: Massimo Tarenghi .