The Veterinary School at Unileão University is situated in Juazeiro do Norte, within the Cariri region of southern Ceará state. This veterinary hospital serves as a training ground where students gain practical experience under expert supervision. The facility caters to both small and large animals, featuring dedicated areas for small animal breeding such as kennels and cat houses, as well as spaces for large animal care.
The hospital complex includes enclosures, consultation rooms, laboratories, surgical centers, classrooms, and administrative offices. The design concept focuses on separating the expansive roof from the main building, providing ample shade to enhance thermal comfort throughout the facility.
The roof, supported by metal trusses, is shaped in gentle waves and includes midsection openings that allow hot air to escape. Portions of the roof incorporate translucent polycarbonate tiles to maximize the use of natural light. Additionally, the extensive sun visors protect not only the building but also the enclosures and parking areas designated for large animals.
The site’s sloping terrain was reshaped to create two platforms with a 4-meter height difference, accommodating buildings that range from one to two stories. The hospital’s activities are organized into six distinct blocks, either rectangular or trapezoidal in shape. The spaces between the buildings promote cross-ventilation, while the surrounding gardens contribute to a pleasant microclimate.
The windows are arranged in a staggered vertical pattern, sometimes beginning at the top of the walls and other times from the ground up, adding dynamic visual interest to the building exteriors.
A prominent seven-meter-high sun visor, constructed from solid ceramic bricks, acts as a lattice that filters intense sunlight, protecting the building’s interior. This snake-shaped masonry design also serves to delineate public and private zones within the complex.
Ultimately, the building is envisioned as an oasis in the semi-arid environment, employing passive bioclimatic strategies to reduce heat impact while offering spacious, comfortable areas for all activities.
Project Drawings
△ Ground Floor Factory Building
△ Upper Level Factory Building
△ Roof Plan
△ Sectional Perspective
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Lins Arquitetos Associados
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Joana França
Manufacturers: Victorian Marble, Glass Terra, Via da Luz
Principal Architects: George Lins, Cintia Lins
Design Team: Gabriela Brasileiro, Joyce de Deus, Alessandra Braga, Armênia Araújo, Alice Teles, Mayara Rocha, Lia Lopes, Samuel Melo, Camila Tavares, Caroline Braga, Cristiellen Rodrigues, Thais Menescal, Paula Thiers
Structural Design: Tiago Ivo Engenharia
Mapping: Ampla Engineering
Construction: Ampla Engenharia
Location: Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
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