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Due to the growing of harmful conditions Lake Atitlan is going through with cyanobacteria we decided that the program primarily be dedicated to a aquatic research center for Lake Atitlan. Another issue due to the water is the lack of tourism that is occurring predominately because of the waters contamination, and for the locals who live there are suffering since they base their entire economy is around tourism, receiving over $25 million a year. Our design provides 10 research laboratories all throughout the lake since the lake is 8 miles long, the water condition is all throughout the lake, ranging from the northern part in Panajachel of the lake where our basic prototype is based on to the southern part where the volcano San Pedro resides as well as the west in San Juan Laguna and to the east in San Antonio Palopo. Boats will be provided in order for the researches to communicate with each other’s researches to solve this problem of algae that is affecting the entire Lake and its people. Also the boats are provided for guest to explore and enjoy the lake. This research center will be an attraction not only for its necessity of providing a solution to the epidemic water contamination, but as well as an architectural attraction by introducing innovative sustainable designs. Examples consist of the skin being incorporating with carbonated skin that is made of fabric to ventilate its building by using its openings within the skin. The form and fluidity of the building allows it to enhance the capabilities a building can have. The entrance of the plaza introduces a welcome center and a café. This combines a communal space before entering the climactic entrance to the main building. The research Center includes laboratories and dormitories for the researches from different Universities such as La Universidad de San Carlos and La Universidad Rafael Landívar.
I worked alongside great friend and colleague Roman Mendez.