UNAB Strengthens Its Academic Mission with New State-of-the-Art Infrastructure

Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) is undergoing a significant transformation in infrastructure across its campuses. With more than 220 billion Chilean pesos invested in new buildings, expansions, and equipment, the university is reinforcing its position as a leader in educational excellence by developing spaces that foster learning, research, and campus life.

The university is pursuing substantial growth in its facilities, expanding from 306,000 m² in 2023 to more than 347,000 m² by 2027—a 13% increase over five years.

This expansion is driven by a series of projects designed to advance the goals of the Institutional Strategic Plan 2023–2027, which establishes a clear roadmap built on four core pillars: the teaching-learning process, the use of technology to enhance the student experience, high-impact research, and community engagement across multiple fronts.

Taken together, the long-term projects included in the Institutional Master Plan will expand the university by more than 100,000 m² compared with its 2023 footprint.

«This ambitious infrastructure plan we are carrying out not only responds to current needs, but also lays the groundwork for our future. As a leading institution in Chilean higher education, we take on the responsibility of looking ahead and responding to the growing needs of a highly demanding, dynamic society operating within a global context,» said UNAB President Julio Castro.

The President added that these growth and improvement plans reflect «our commitment to the country in which we operate and to the standards of excellence in the education we provide and wish to continue providing. It is a demonstration of how we intend to remain a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and development for future generations.»

In addition to new buildings in Santiago and Viña del Mar focused on academic and research spaces, and a series of new facilities in Concepción designed to support specific degree programs and community services, this plan includes a wide range of investments in equipment and the upkeep of both current and future spaces, alongside significant investment in technology.

In technology alone, the university is investing more than 8 billion Chilean pesos during this period.

One notable feature of the plan is its strong focus on sustainability in all newly constructed buildings, in keeping with the institution’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2038 — an objective that requires considerable effort across multiple areas.

«We want to offer our students world-class learning environments that help them develop their talents and support their academic growth. This is not just about modernizing facilities — it is about creating spaces that inspire innovation, collaboration, and excellence,» said UNAB Provost Ana María Pavez.

Pavez added that «the university is committed to its surroundings and to incorporating a range of features that make its new facilities more sustainable, whether through energy efficiency, better use of space, or other sustainable design features.»

Key Projects – Santiago Campus

The República Campus began its renovation in 2024 with the restoration and adaptive reuse of the building at República 290, known as Palacio Herquíñigo. Spanning nearly 3,000 m², the building was designed to the highest standards of connectivity and comfort and now features new classrooms, a cafeteria, collaborative workspaces, and common areas for the university community.

In March 2026, the building at Echaurren 174 opened, offering 7,044 m² across seven floors, including classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums, and a variety of study spaces. The building also includes four basement levels and expands the República Campus, the university’s oldest and largest campus.

Alongside this new building, which is primarily dedicated to classroom instruction, a new research building of more than 8,200 m² is also planned. This four-story structure with three basement levels will house laboratories and research spaces for various schools, centers, and institutes, creating a collaborative environment for high-impact scientific research.

Also planned for this campus is the renovation and expansion of a designated historic preservation building that will house the School of Education and Humanities and the School of Social Sciences. This new space will comprise 1,200 m² across three floors and will be dedicated to administrative functions, including private offices, shared workspaces, and common areas for faculty and staff from both schools.

At the Casona de Las Condes Campus, a new building known as the Borde Poniente («Western Edge») is currently under construction. It will span 11,200 m² across seven levels, four of which are below ground. Its contemporary design strikes a balance between the campus’s historic identity and a modern architectural vision. The building will house laboratories, classrooms, an auditorium, offices, and collaborative spaces, with completion expected in 2027.