Los Heroes: Fun 70’s Building Rehab Clad in a Rainbow Skin

<a href="http://www.murtinho.cl/">Murtinho + Raby Arquitectos</a> was challenged with transforming an old grey 70s building into a vibrant new space, and by the looks of the finished product, we think they succeeded. Located in Santiago, Chile, the rainbow-hued building is home to the general offices of <a href="http://www.losheroes.cl/">Caja de Compensación Los Heroes</a>, which works with retirees. As such, the architects played upon the concept of leisure and fun and clad its dreary walls with an eye-catching multi-colored <a href="http://inhabitat.com/abandoned-warehouse-tranformed-with-movable-steel-facade/">facade</a> that also works as a UV filter.

<a href="http://www.losheroes.cl/">Caja de Compensación Los Heroes</a> is an independent, non profit institution whose role is to administrate social security funds for economic help for retirees through small loans.

Since the people who visit the office the most are senior citizens who no longer work, the architects wanted to create a relaxed, fun environment.

The use of colored panels to line the sides of the building accomplishes that goal in a way that required much less materials and <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/energy">energy</a> than tearing down the existing structure or erecting a new one.

But the transformation didn't end there.

The interior of the building was also revamped and given a circular core that also speaks to a more easy-going, fluid atmosphere.

The interior temperature is regulated by the same bright double <a href="http://inhabitat.com/abandoned-warehouse-tranformed-with-movable-steel-facade/">facade</a> that gives Los Heroes so much character.

The panels work to trap <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/solar-power">solar energy</a> using UV ray filters that protect the inside of the building from heat, thereby cutting down on air conditioning usage and costs.

Los Heroes lit up at night.