AS THE WIND BLOWS…
DETAILS
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Status: Submitted Proposal
Project Description:
From the brief: Silos Buenos Aires: Architecture Competition | The monumental structure of the Silos, located in Buenos Aires on the Eastern side of Puerto Madero, is one of the few port constructions that persist in the neighbourhood and the only one that has not yet been recovered. Its condition of “Industrial Ruin” gives it a sort of special charm, completely different from that of the newest constructions around it. The state of deep degradation, which strongly clashes with a context of glass buildings, seems like a kind of desperate call for attention not to forget its existence. The main dilemma lies in defining what kind of intervention would be able to give a new life to a structure that could no longer resume its original function. What program would suitably adapt to such a particular building? Undoubtedly, the conservation of this colossal artifact requires a singular sensitivity, capable of valuing its most important characteristics with an innovative approach. This ideas competition, addressed to architects, designers and creatives from all over the world, aims to imagine the rehabilitation of the Silos in a creative and unprecedented way. The main purpose is to revitalize them through original concepts, capable of revaluing both the interior spaces and their image towards the city.
Silos Buenos Aires encourages participants to think out of the box and to experiment with provocative ideas, without any fear of revolutionizing the current state of the abandoned complex.
Synopsis: The growth of Buenos Aires facilitated by the creation of a quasi-private corporation (CAPMSA), has resulted in a scale of growth that is at odds with neighbouring city areas. The competition led, winning masterplan for Puerto Madero prioritizes meaningful open space being both accessible and congruent with the needs of the locals for relaxation, protest, congregation, while catering to a wide range of social classes. Furthermore, naming areas after influential Argentine women maps a social construct upon the physical reality. While the Western bank has retained a lot of the original warehouses, early demolition and pressure from real estate have reframed the landscape of the Eastern bank as one that overpowers the heritage vision.
The resulting interplay between the global and local fabric can be reframed from a condition of opposition to one of a hybridized, unified identity of the place.
The design acts as an urban insert linking the waterfront to the skatepark via landscaped pavilions. The circular structure of the existing silos is used as the base concept for redesigning the waterfront area of the site with an open plaza, accommodating pedestrian, bicycle routes, seating area/rest spots for tourists and locals. Light steel and fabric modules soften the harsh concrete of the original structure without overwhelming the building silhouette. The program suggests display spaces for the national agricultural innovations, it’s port based historicity and dedicated spaces for women to empower themselves through workshops and education.
As such, the design welcomes the original narrative of the masterplan.