CUEC – UNAM (Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos)

Overview

Founded in 1963, and influenced by both Nouvelle Vague and Mexico’s First Contest of Experimental Film, CUEC (Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos) is the Film School of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). It is one of the largest universities and film schools in Latin America, and also one of the oldest, most influential, most prolific and important in the region, producing over 100 short films a year. Notable CUEC alumni includes: Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mamá También, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. Both of whom won Oscars in 2014 as Best Director and Best Cinematographer respectively, for Gravity The main CUEC campus is a World Heritage site designed by some of Mexico’s best-known architects of the 20th Century. Located in the southern part of Mexico City UNAM’s main campus includes a stadium which hosted the 1968 Olympics; 40 faculties and institutes; the Cultural Center; an ecological reserve; the Central Library; and a number of museums. WSDG was engaged to design the internal room architecture, acoustics and technology integration for CUEC’s new building.

Program

Because the Mixing Room had to function simultaneously with classes being held directly on the floor below, isolation presented a primary challenge. To eliminate sound leakage into or out of the mixing room, WSDG developed a Room-Within-Room, acoustical isolation program. Incorporating concrete perimeter walls, completely detached from the interior walls via a network of springs enabled WSDG to achieve the specified, NC20. This pro recording studio-level, construction method enables the room to produce high volume sound without disturbing surrounding classrooms.

Design

The spacious screening room seats an audience of 100+. The Pro Tools equipped Mixing Room is the first Dolby Atmos Surround production suite created by WSDG for Latin America. It also features an Avid System 5.  The rooms are dedicated to providing students with real world recording and production tools and skills. Future proofing for international standards was a primary concern. Equipment decisions were based on established industry standards to ensure students of receiving a fully professional learning experience. The design phase was completed over a period of three month, and supervised by WSDG Mexico, Project Managers, Nacho Rettally and Mike Moreno in collaboration with WSDG offices worldwide.