The Unicamp Technical College of Campinas (Cotuca) building, located at Rua Culto a Ciência, 177, has been completely restored and modernized. From the roof, whose damage motivated students and teachers to move to another location, to the electrical and hydraulic infrastructure, the entire building underwent extensive renovation. Thanks to a partnership with Campinas Decor, the College's more than two thousand students will be able to return, at the beginning of 2022, to a safe property. “The gift is not just for Unicamp, but for the population of Campinas who will receive the restoration of a historic building and important heritage for the city”, highlighted the rector Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles during a press conference held on Tuesday morning (31 ).
The rector also highlighted that the reopening of the College will mark the end of a seven-year wait for the community to be able to circulate again through the rooms and corridors designed by Ramos de Azevedo. The building, whose construction area totals 4.500 square meters, was designed by the famous architect at the beginning of the 20th century. (Read more information below)
Since 2014, Cotuca was located in a rented building in the Taquaral neighborhood. Laboratories, a library and classrooms were temporarily installed there. “With our return, we will be able to renovate all the laboratories, as we are already forming partnerships with companies”, said the director of Cotuca, Vanessa Petrilli Bavaresco, who could barely hide her excitement when visiting the building. “The solution to the infrastructure problems is a relief, as it provides security for the College community, in addition, of course, to the restoration work, which was impeccable”, she commented.
Gratitude
The building gained new bathrooms and rooms, and the issue of accessibility received special attention with the installation of a panoramic elevator, connecting the two floors of the main building, in addition to the construction of several access ramps throughout the area. “It’s beautiful to see every detail. The flooring was wonderful and the doors and windows all match the original tone of the wood from the time. There are no words, the feeling is one of immense gratitude”, observed Vanessa.
The total area that comprises the College is 7 thousand square meters and, according to the director, the expectation is to raise funds for the construction of an annex structure to further expand the space allocated to laboratories and classrooms. “The project has already been duly approved by the University’s higher authorities and we have plans to obtain the necessary funds for construction. We will strive for this,” she stated.
Campinas Decor: an army of professionals
Initially, from the 3rd (Friday), the building will house the historic edition of Campinas Decor, which has 58 rooms fully decorated by a team of 89 architects, interior designers and landscapers. There are various styles of decoration, showcasing trends and the most modern in decoration items, coverings, furniture and home automation. The public will be able to see several rooms, suites, apartments, lofts, bathrooms and terraces, as well as gardens and commercial spaces for use by visitors. According to the official calendar, the 25th edition of the event would have been held in May and June 2020, but due to the pandemic, it had been postponed indefinitely until the moment was considered safe to establish a new period.
“This edition becomes a major milestone in the trajectory of Campinas Decor, which is further reinforced by all the adversities we need to overcome to finally open our doors to the public. In addition to celebrating our 25th anniversary, it brings us the pleasure and honor of returning the Cotuca building to the municipality. Our level of satisfaction is immense”, says the event director, Sueli Cardoso.
During the preparation works for the exhibition, structural improvements were carried out in the various buildings that make up the school complex, with the restoration of roofs, walls and coverings and reconstruction of the hydraulic and electrical networks. In total, an investment of R$ 12 million is estimated in the restoration of the building and preparation of the exhibition, shared between the organization, exhibitors, sponsors and suppliers.
The work involved a veritable army of professionals - architects, landscapers, engineers, visual artists, bricklayers, painters, gardeners, carpenters and delivery people, among others. At peak times, the site had around 500 workers at the same time. Around 1.500 direct jobs were created during the works, in addition to another 150 after the exhibition opened to the public.
historical heritage
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the “Bento Quirino” Building complex was ceded by the Department of Education for use by Unicamp and housed the Technical College of Campinas from 1967 to 2014. It is a grandiose construction listed as a Historical Heritage site, with an orientation eclectic style with a neoclassical tendency, designed by engineer-architect Francisco de Paula Ramos de Azevedo (1851-1928), considered responsible for introducing new concepts for the organization of school architecture in light of republican teaching ideals.
Third partnership between Unicamp and Campinas Decor
This is the third time that the partnership between Unicamp and Campinas Decor has been successful. The first of these took place in 2008, at Guanabara Station, of which Unicamp is a lender. The old station building was completely restored and now houses the CIS-Guanabara – Cultural Center for Inclusion and Social Integration. In 2018, the event recovered the buildings of Fazenda Argentina, acquired by the university for expansion purposes, and which after the renovation began to be used by the university to set up the office of its innovation agency and startup companies.
Campinas Decor reinforces its policy of recovering public heritage buildings to return them to society. The Cotuca edition will be the ninth to be held in a publicly owned building. In addition to the buildings mentioned, Campinas Decor has already recovered the Casarão do Lago do Café (2003), the Campinas Agronomic Institute (in the 2009 and 2010 editions, in different locations), the Estação Cultura (2011), the Casa de Vidro, also in Lago do Café (2016) and in 2019, the building famous for having housed the old Colégio Ateneu, belonging to the city hall. The works carried out allowed countless activities to be carried out in these locations, always for the benefit of the population.
Service:
Campinas Decor 2021
When: September 3rd to November 2nd
Where: Rua Culto à Ciência, 177
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 14pm to 22pm; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 12:30 pm to 22 pm – ticket office always closes at 21 pm
Ticket price: from Tuesday to Friday, R$ 45,00; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, R$50,00; students and seniors pay half price; Children up to 12 years old are free.
Available services: restaurant, cafe, bar and valet parking (R$ 30,00)
Telephone for information: (19) 3255-7744 or via the website www.campinasdecor.com.br
Read more:
Campinas Decor opens exhibition and announces recovery of Cotuca
Campinas Decor delivers infrastructure works for the Cotuca building to Unicamp
