concurso centro histórico pampatar
bulevar pampatar
un archipiélago de acciones para aprender del mar
public competition
2024
pampatar, nueva esparta
venezuela
area: +15000 m2
status: project not selected
collaborating offices: mrpunto arquitectos asociados
& aga estudio
design team: daniel zambrano, mauricio godoy
& alberto schwarz
The competition site consists of fragmented "plazas" and an amphitheater, separated by the two main roads entering and exiting Pampatar. This location is historically significant from colonial times and a popular tourist destination, known for the calm, clear waters of its bay.
Our strategy focused on understanding the site's conditions. We saw the fragmented areas and their surroundings as an opportunity to integrate them into a larger system, like an archipelago. In this "archipelago," individual "islands" (the plazas) retain their unique characteristics while blending with the "fluidity" of the roads, much like the sea. This approach blurs the lines between roads and pavements.
This strategy also allowed us to reshape the program. We recognized that the most popular public space during the day is the beach itself, or at least the connection with the sea. The original site and multiple interventions all denied this interaction, and thus all failed to bring back life to the space. We acknowledged that the built space’s prime time for use is at night when temperatures are cooler, making it more enjoyable for people.
Extending beyond the competition's brief, we relocated the amphitheater closer to the sea. This provided better connections with other plazas and more enjoyable views of the bay. The amphitheater's original enclosed location was transformed into a mangrove swamp, allowing marine wildlife to thrive.
Mindful of tradition and sustainable construction, we selected local materials such as rocks and locally crafted clay bricks to create more breathable ground. Also given Margarita’s challenging potable water situation, it's crucial to utilize rainfall during the rainy season for both existing and proposed landscaping, this would be possible by creating irrigation ditches to transport water to planters, which serves as a temperature regulator.
Understanding the dynamic nature of time and use, we designed spaces with flexible functions throughout the day, avoiding single-purpose enclosures. For example, the multi-court is an open space accessible to everyone when not in use for a match. Vertical elements, specifically oriented to provide shade during hot days, visually define this space.