“A significant contribution to the community” – Holcim Awards Jury

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    Project entry 2005 - Plaza del Sol - Public market and transfer terminal, Caracas, Venezuela: Court A-A and south facade

The project merits distinction for its sensitivity to issues of ecospaces and innovative approach to designing public space. The work offers a significant contribution to the community by implementing a multifunctional facility that includes a bus terminal connected to an elegantly designed cultural center via an elevated pedestrian path. Such coordination of diverse demands is highly respected.

Last updated: July 07, 2005 São Paulo, Brazil

Noteworthy is the skillful integration of different public services with the cultural center, a solution that is socially relevant because it serves to bring a host of activities closer to the general public. Several important features concerning sustainability are incorporated, including the green façade and roof for protection against solar radiation as well as flexible architectural systems that accommodate necessary modifications of the building configuration.

The project responds in a convincingly subtle manner to the topographical changes in height, thereby reducing the amount of earthwork required for construction. Such a situational strategy also provides distinctive differences to the four elevations. Equally notable is the socially responsible attitude to providing a diversity of safe, collective spaces whose robustness is not compromised by their refined aesthetic treatment.