The large-scale complex worth $ 138 million is positioned by the city authorities as one of the main venues for international congresses and conventions in Latin America. The building with a total area of 30,000 m2 includes a main hall for 4,000 people, several multifunctional auditoriums from 15 to 1,000 seats, an exhibition center and parking lots. In addition to political events, concerts and other cultural, social, educational and commercial events will be held here.
The Congress Center is not only the halls themselves with the accompanying infrastructure, but also the most important public space of the city, which in the future may well become the new center of Bogotá and help develop the infrastructure of neighboring districts.
The Herreros and Bermudez project, ahead of stellar rivals such as Zaha Hadid, David Chipperfield, Rem Koolhaas, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Snohetta and Dominique Perrault, is a transparent multi-storey cube that houses several underground parking levels. Outside, the facades are protected by vertical white lamellas: the only exception is a large terrace embedded in the center of the volume.
The first floor is as open as possible to the city, and its space freely flows into the area adjacent to the building. Visitors can also enter the Center via a covered ramp that leads directly to the second floor level. All escalators and staircases are placed in the central square atrium, where numerous auditoriums are turned. The main hall occupies several upper floors and faces the street with a spectacular glazed end.
The Bogotá authorities are planning to build the Congress Center by 2014.
