Fabric regeneration is based on recognizing the context and using it to design a new architecture that dialogs with the setting. Planning should improve the quality of urban spaces, promote community integration and at the same time generate a model city that is integrated with the environment. It is necessary to intervene and propose strategies that serve as theoretical frameworks for the reproduction of the city, have a contagion effect, and achieve a sustainable city.
An essential component of the compact city model is the mixture of uses. It is necessary to incorporate in the neighborhood activities with different characteristics (residential, work, leisure, shopping, etc.) to increase inter-sector dynamics and reactivation. The generation of a public space that meets the needs of the neighborhood, which conforms to the way of living of the inhabitants thereof, and that provides a stimulating and symbolic environment is put forward by the project.
“Next Generation” 3rd prize presentation for “Den-City: Urban regeneration through densification, Córdoba, Argentina” (l-r): Manuel Sirtori, CEO Holcim Argentina with Lucia Zunino and Maya Wilberger, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Students Lucía Zunino and Maya Karenina Wilberger at Universidad Nacional de Córdoba won the “Next Generation” 3rd prize for “Den-City: Urban regeneration through densification” in Córdoba, Argentina. Lucía Zunino explains the importance of multi-scalar nature of the project that works on the levels of urban planning, architectural design, and technology.
Awards winners (l-r): “Next Generation” 1st prize winners for “Fruit Salad: Riverside urban infrastructure redeployment, Manaus, Brazil” Christian Barrera and Alejandro Alaniz together from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina together with “Next Generation” 3rd prize winners for “Den-City: Urban regeneration through densification, Córdoba, Argentina” Maya Karenina Wilberger and Lucía Zunino from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
In the heart of Córdoba’s Güemes neighborhood, where underutilized spaces and a lack of public amenities have long hindered community life, the Den-City project emerges as a beacon of renewal. This initiative reimagines the urban landscape, transforming overlooked interstitial areas into vibrant, inclusive spaces that foster social interaction and environmental sustainability.
By Maya Karenina Wilberger, Lucía Zunino - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Den-City proposes a series of adaptable, multi-use buildings that seamlessly integrate residential, commercial, and recreational functions. These structures are designed with sustainability at their core, featuring green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and the use of recycled materials. By embedding these buildings within the existing urban fabric, the project enhances connectivity and accessibility, creating a more cohesive and dynamic community environment.
Project authors
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
The project was awarded a “Next Generation” prize in the 2014 Holcim Foundation Awards for Latin America. It exemplifies how thoughtful urban densification can revitalize neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and set a precedent for sustainable development in similar urban contexts. Den-City stands as a testament to the potential of innovative design in addressing the complex challenges of urban regeneration.
Praised by the jury are the proposed strategies to regenerate neighborhoods through the insertion of collective housing in the interstices of the urban fabric. Particularly appreciated is the concept of the “compact city” that the authors explore and the means deployed to sustain a high quality of life in urban contexts, through public space and a range of uses that meet the needs of inhabitants. Most importantly, the project considers the incorporation of infrastructural elements for energy generation and rainwater harvesting into the housing structures – combining technology and architecture in an innovative way.
Compact, high-density development is critical for the sustainable future of cities. This project blends residential and public uses into an indivisible whole—prioritising access to green space in a rapidly urbanising environment.
Public space is treated as a key indicator of urban quality. The proposal imagines a porous urban fabric—open, accessible, and centred around inclusive community gathering areas. It embraces the potential of underused urban interstices to foster social interaction and shared identity.
Environmental preservation guides the overall urban plan. Energy-efficient design is integrated with infrastructure, including “party wall equipment” that supports sustainable utilities within the district. The approach reduces energy use and promotes local ecological health.
Public-private collaboration is positioned as the optimal model to generate both investment value and civic benefit. The framework promotes long-term prosperity by aligning developer incentives with community and environmental outcomes.
Recognising shared urban challenges across Latin America, the project proposes a replicable model of ethical densification—one that prioritises integration, green space, and the social life of the city.
The architecture is designed to enhance local conditions and express the identity of the community. Simple, sustainable construction methods are leveraged to deliver high-impact results.
A variety of housing typologies are offered to reflect the diversity of social and family structures—encouraging social integration through inclusive and flexible design.
The building model promotes efficient resource use and adaptability—supporting climate-responsive performance with minimal environmental impact.
Winners for Latin America Announced
Medellín, Colombia
“Sustainability? Careful analysis of the site” – Lucía Zunino
“Sustainability? Careful analysis of the site” – Lucía Zunino
