The project rearticulates the civic, sports and social activities that occur in front of the most important church in town. The understanding of the dynamics and pre-existing elements and programs of the plaza was decisive in defining the six main quadrants that would organize this new collective space.
An arch like concrete structure that originates from a rectangular grid and then rotates while incorporating different heights and recognizing the different programmatic components, defines the quadrants of the plaza and creates a collection of open spaces articulated by porticoes. A new and continuous framing system links and give position to a multi-use court to the north (covered by a pre-existing arch-roof), a hard civic plaza in the center, and surrounds a government building to the south.
The heights of the porticoes adapt to the uses and structures to which they are linked: At the western end, a set of gardens coexists with children's play areas and amphitheaters integrating the recreational spaces into the sequence of landscaped platforms and providing privacy and control. At the east end, three sectors are used for civic activities; an amphitheater with floor fountains, a central garden, and a new atrium for the church that complements its activities.
More than shadow and places to linger -even though they were important- the element that was essential, was navigability. In addition to being a space to rest, the square is a space of transition, procession, and movement. The project delimits and directs flows of visitors, guiding, redirecting and allowing them to gather.