Walter Salcedo

OBJETIVO

The site was divided into several modules, three perpendicular to the street and a regular and progressive succession parallel to the same street. Two of these modules contain the main program and the remaining ones serve as a connection to other alternative programs that operate in an adjacent lot towards the center of the block. We decided the expansion would take place above, on a new layer, and although it should work as an independent piece with direct
access from the street, it should also be internally connected.
A vertically arranged shape would be more beneficial in a vertical frame than a horizontal one; however, In the process, we discovered a particularity in the horizontal way: a set of verticals will get a horizontal structure when considered as a group. This dichotomy between horizontal preexistence and vertical growth would search its own balance in the joint composition.
If the horizontals expressed stability as a base, the verticals will transmit speed and a greater sense of movement, either up or down. Verticality would be an argument for visual and spatial balance, but at the same time, a channeling of light. The new horizon would be vertical. A set of truncated cones crown the building and filter the light evenly into the interior.
The envelope is materialized with cementitious, Eternit, grooved panels, which are organized in a manner that makes the facade oriented in a vertical way, framing the boundary lines and from there directing them towards the center and downwards, where the different entrances are integrated. This intensifies the dichotomy of the two dominant orientations: the horizontal of the context and the vertical of the crown and the light.

CONTEXTO

Situated in the city of Villa Constitución, the project transforms and extends the historically valuable ensemble into a new multiprogram “artifact”.The new building comes as a clearly recognizable element in dialogue with the existing architecture. A new monolith that, with his monumental and elegant appearance, functions as a magnet for users and visitors.
The project aims to formulate a strong answer to reach a clear organization of the program and a recognizable and open identity. For this reason, the building ensemble hosts a series of programs besides the existing multipurpose room located at the back of the plot.
With few precise gestures the project points to transform the landscape into an attractive office and medical facility Space in the heart of city, a dynamic place for openness, dialogue, and multiple connection. A set of regulated vertical pyramids as skylights, introduce natural light whose color diffuses throughout a tinted glass and the dark wooden interior. This material and light manipulation allowed us to create a new and more pleasant and controlled environment. The interaction between the vertical and the horizontal vanishing points and views creates a different responsive reactions and feelings from the diaphanous and calm connected to the vertical views [sky] up to the more dynamic and vertiginous connected to horizontal views [horizon and the street].