Surface Design Awards – Complete

• PUBLIC BUILDING - EXTERIOR
  Public Buildings used by the public for any purpose, such as assembly, education, entertainment, government, healthcare, transport or worship. This will also include civic centres, community centres, libraries, visitor centres, culture, health + wellbeing, faith, education, sports venues and stadia, transport, central + local government, entertainment and event venues.

• LANDSCAPE + PUBLIC REALM
  The space around, between and within buildings that is publicly accessible, including streets, squares, parks and open spaces. These areas and settings support or facilitate public life and social interaction.

Paseo la Plaza has always captivated us locals for its enigmatic urban space, whose language empathizes with the collective imaginary of the heterogeneous nature of the city, especially one like Buenos Aires.
As its name suggests, the prevailing emptiness, air and vegetation literally illustrates the identity of the square.
Its cobblestones alleys surround the theaters in which each building has an identity that clearly emulates an old village. Based on this highly valued attribute by users and owners we analyzed how to integrate a new identity. An identity that must maintain the "Paseo la Plaza" as the main protagonist and the "Mercado Manduca" as its integrated market.
This careful integration between both environments is translated into an element that we define with the name of "metal strip", key element in the identity of the market. It is a communication platform and conveys a contemporary, dynamic and integrated language throughout the entire length of its development. The Manduca plaza also becomes a sustainable green proposal.
The strategy implemented has been to maintain the buildings heterogeneity in tectonic and formal aspects while also homogenizing their volumes implementing dark tones. To differentiate the building that defines the new use as a market we only used light tones, and also by its tectonics.
The "Paseo de la plaza” building is walled and dense, while the new intervention "metal strip" is light and made of metal sheets. The metal strip rises from the ground level surrounded by vegetated flower beds, containing 10 facades of commercial premises designed as windows of old sidewalk bars. Its furniture in front of the windows is resolved through the same language. Under the same porche language we have defined areas of common use for the complex's diners, as if it were a natural continuation of the construction system itself.
We proposed white flooring in front of the commercial venues as their own sidewalks. Next, gray and then black generate a gradient towards a central organic figure that emulates a stream, and unifies the green landscaped areas along the promenade. Its diagonal arrangement unites the common areas on both sides of the market.
The large garden areas around the tower perimeter have been intervened, allowing for use via a transitable and absorbent paving. There we placed cement-made urban furniture as organic figures whose morphology accompany the shapes of the garden areas filled with new native species.
On the first level, we set up common picnic tables in front of the main theater room. This area is covered by two large tightened fabrics, under which garlands illuminate with a kermis-like code.
The ground floor of the Manduca promenade was adapted with a restroom for the disabled, as well as a service elevator connecting the basements and ground floors for half of the commercial premises.
To conclude, we have encountered a project which, its proposal use and contemporary language have added to the classic consumer a new renovated one. All of this has generated a very particular gentrification to the historical “Paseo de la Plaza” complex.
The project was finalized by the end of 2022, just in time for the summer season.

The design of the Manduca Market exemplify an innovative approach to surface design utilizing a range of materials and surfaces that enhance the identity, sustainability, and user experience of the urban space.
The use of cobblestones for the alleys around the theaters pay homage to the historical character of the space. They not only evoke a sense of nostalgia but also provide a visually appealing and durable surface. The choice of this material maintains a connection to the square's heritage, which is crucial for preserving the identity of the site. Also, the "metal strip" serves as a key element in the identity of the market. Its conveys a contemporary and dynamic language creating a modern aesthetic but also ensures that the market stands out and creates a contrast with the cobblestone. Moreover, the selection of white, gray, and black flooring in front of the commercial venues create a gradient that lead toward a central organic figure resembling a stream. This flooring design unifies the green landscaped areas along the promenade. It adds an artistic and visually engaging element to the space, making it more than just a functional surface. And, lastly, for urban furniture we used cement to create organic shapes harmonizing with the natural surroundings. This integration of functional elements into the landscape design showcases a thoughtful approach to surface materials.

The sustainable strategy was to reuse the old building, demolishing the minimum possible, taking into account existing modularity, while also using the same access spaces to the old commercial premises, but in this case incorporating new facades. The project has added many vegetation square meters on the roofs of all the store fronts, adding vegetation surfaces to the already vegetated "Paseo la Plaza". Cobblestones and permeable floor were incorporated to absorb rainwater and the original trees of the promenade were respected during demolition.
The use of transitable and absorbent paving in the garden areas around the tower perimeter is a sustainable choice. It not only facilitates movement but also allows rainwater to be absorbed, contributing to water management and environmental sustainability.
The sustainable features, such as reusing the old building, incorporating permeable flooring, and preserving existing trees, showcase a commitment to environmental responsibility. These materials and practices contribute to the ecological health of the area.

To sum up, Manduca is a project in which the original space and use of innovative materials in the renovation design has significantly enriched the urban space. Cobblestones pay homage to the site's history, preserving its identity while providing durability and aesthetic appeal. The "metal strip" introduces a dynamic and contrasting contemporary element, defining the market's identity and unifies green spaces artistically. All in all the sustainable strategies, including reusing the old building and permeable flooring, exhibit environmental responsibility. Overall, this project combines tradition, modernity, and sustainability, deserving recognition for its surface design.