Arete
Arete Building
The Ateneo prides itself on having one of the most beautiful and innovative campuses in Metro Manila. Even in terms of the university’s irrigation system with its ability to filter rainwater for recycling, the University ensures that the campus is not only beautiful but also sustainable. Its students and faculty members enjoy the harmony of nature and infrastructure.
One of the most novel buildings on campus is the Areté. It is a four story building, divided into two wings — the Innovation Wing and the Arts Wing. The entire establishment has an average of 15,504.3 sqm for its total gross floor area, including the Utility Center Building (UCB) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Overall, its structure has features that uphold modernization and sustainability. It is composed of reinforced concrete walls with the covering of an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) Half-Therm System Finish. Decorative aluminum fins with anodized finish was also installed and surrounds the entire building envelope. This protects the fixed and awning windows with a reflective blue glass heat strengthened on a powder coated aluminum frame. PVC roof sheet panels were used on the covered part of the building and in its interior finishes, engineered wood planks were used specifically in the Galleries, while a combination of tiled and cement finish lean on the rest of the Arete. The roof structural and framing system is also designed to withstand the weight of the solar panels which are now in place. Arete uses treated and recycled grey water for it's aircon cooling tower. The Hyundai Hall, one of Arete’s main features, was also carpeted with a sound insulation panel on its wall.
The Arete is also known as "The Creativity and Innovation Hub of Ateneo de Manila University". Therefore, apart from practicing sustainability in its design and composition, it also holds some of the country's cultural and natural heritage, in which students, faculty, and guests are invited to appreciate the modern and traditional art the building has in store. Other than its theaters and art galleries, the complex includes studios, laboratories, teaching and meeting rooms, several open spaces, and a maker space, all of which encourage and foster creativity through collaboration among peers.