Project description by jury

This transformation project turns the problem of dismantling a zoo into an opportunity to create a more environmentally aware consciousness in Mendoza. The design reconverts the area formerly occupied by a zoo that closed in 2019 into the site’s original morphology and landscape without imposing a new or too distinctive language. The new park articulates itself around a series of thematic paths (sports circuit, native culture circuit, recycling circuit etc.), along which different activities or temporary events take place. This results in a recreational public space that is deployed to bring a universal message of respect towards both people and nature. In so doing, the project becomes the container of sustainability practices and the place par excellence in the region where awareness around these themes can be enhanced. 

As a Main category prize winner in the regional Holcim Awards 2020, Park Evolution in Argentina automatically qualified as a finalist in the Global Holcim Awards 2021.

View Global Holcim Awards Entry – Park Evolution in Argentina

The built environment has a significant role to play in addressing climate change and enabling the transition to a net-zero and more inclusive future. The Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction global winners showcase the cutting edge of approaches to sustainable design, green architecture, and materials innovation. The 6th cycle of the competition saw a double-prizewinning entry in Latin America: A project in Colombia won the Global Holcim Awards Silver as well as Gold at the regional level. The global prizes were presented at a handover ceremony at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. The regional Holcim Awards Main category winners for Latin America were recognized at the same event.

Place

The austere morphology, the local materials, the language used, all are subject to the original atmosphere, to the characteristics of the natural landscape. The design does not seek to impose itself, but to incorporate itself in harmony. Everything becomes part of the landscape.

The flexibility of the proposed spaces allows future modifications for different uses.

The circuits of the park are dynamic, they allow temporary events such as ecological film festivals, artistic installations with recycled materials, organic Sunday markets - the possibilities are endless.

This place which the zoo occupied has an enormous root in popular identity, visited by family and schools and is closely linked to childhood. Its new identity as the pioneer ecopark in America was received with great pride.

• Rainwater and gray water are collected, recovered in the central wetland, and redistributed for irrigation.
• The waste of its visitors is recycled in workshops.
• The earth of excavations are reused to solve the entrances to green terraces in slope.
• All green terraces, improving their insulation and returning landscape.
• Local materials reduce the transport of raw materials to zero.
• Zero maintenance.
• Concrete, local stone, age naturally and aesthetically.
• Recycled materials (PET bricks, recycled glass, laminated wood).
• The adequate insulation, natural lighting, and shading.
• 900 m2 of solar cells+ 100 m2 of thermal solar panels for hot water.
• Natural cross ventilation.