Inhabiting the Nest Candela Oliva Varier Design Studio VI
water 1:600
green areas 1:600
built areas 1:600 [pink indicates lots containing high-rise buildings]
Costanera Sur ecologic reservoir is a vast piece of land “attached” to the city of Buenos Aires in the shape of a small peninsula. Its origin is artificial and product of neglect: land waste from the construction of the city center, back in the 19th century, was deposited there and ended up creating a piece of landfill, territory gained to river Plata. Time went by and many vegetation and animals of different species of the Pampean ecosystem begun populating this landfill, to the point that the public administration declared it a protected natural space. Being the intermediary between the skyscrapers that stand along Buenos Aires’ coast line and the huge river, it has great spatial and mythical complexity: it is a constant reminder of what the place’s natural environment could be, an oasis that contrasts with the bustling, noisy, polluted and grey feel of Buenos Aires’ downtown. However, the potential of the reserve as a “dealer” between the city and the beach, between “progress” and nature, is hardly recognized: it is a forgotten piece of the city with which only few locals are familiar with, and which most consider useless, given its potential to host more skyscrapers for luxury dwellings and multinational companies offices.
main paths 1:600
w2 vie
vie
w
1
plan 1:1000
The reserve is currently a space for citizens to ride their bikes, take long walks or exercise. However, the area is very much appreciated for its rich fauna, particulary in bird species. More than 250 kind of birds fly over the river, the reserve and the city frontline during the day, so a quite consolidated group of nature-lovers gather regularly to practice birdwatching, despite the lack of infrastructure. A hypothetical hybrid building in the reserve would therefore contemplate enhancing the place’s fauna and its relation to citizens.
15 4,8 3
canary palm [perennial]
gravel
alder [deciduous]
hierba de las pampas [deciduous]
landscape in winter
--------- the river ----------------------------
------
the plot
--------------------------------------t he cit y-
------------------------------
great-height-flight birds
135 -
15 -
medium-height-flight birds
3-
low-height-flight birds 0-
view #5 : floating on the top of the trees;
view f the city, great-height-flight birds
5. CAFE public, enclosed 4. BEDROOMS private, enclosed
view #4 : river
view #3 : medium-height-flight birds
3. BEDROOMS private, enclosed 2. CO-WORKING private, enlosed
view #2 : wood of palm trees
view #1 : floating on the “hierba de las
pampas” field; low-height-flight birds
0. EXHIBITION ROOM nucleus, private circulation public circulation - stairs and ramps
1. OBSERVATION DECK public, open air
0. EXHIBITION ROOM public, enclosed among vegetation
contemplation (W)
observing migratory birds (SW-NE)
sunset city
plants surround you but don’t block the view
waking up (E) dawn river
+5.00 +4.00 +3.00 +2.00
+2.00
-1.50 -3.00
co-working seclusion focus small animals
tree protection shadow in summer, sun in winter
eating
tree protection
observing low flight birds + insects + flowers
laboratory refrigeration isolation silence skylight
learning lower eye level small animals
SU
NS
ET
in s
um
me
r (D
ec
21)
- 05
.30
M
WIN D di rect ion in
IG
R
R BI Y OR AT
D
i S fl
t gh
re di
cti
o
n no
th
WN DA
the win dy m onth s (av erag e)
es er
in
er
ve
n
(Ju
ter win
21)
00
08.
1
3
4
2
SU
N
SET
in w
r( nte
Jun
2
08 1) -
.00
i
DA WN
in s
um
me
r (D
ec
21)
- 05
1. Contemplation while observing the sunset beind the skyscrapers, among the cup of the trees. 2. Eating and strolling at the height of the flowers and surrounded by trees. The yellow area indicates shadow in summer and sun in winter, between 13.00 and 15.00 hrs. 3. Observing the flight of migratory birds.The yellow line responds to the shadowed area in summer between 16.00 and 18.00 hrs. Vertical protection will be needed to shelter from the intense winds in summer, which carry lots of tiny leaves and seeds. 4. Waking up wih the sight of dawn towards the river. Seclusion to the East end guarantees privacy. [Activities taking place at (semi)underground level remain flexible in plan, as they are less exposed to the atmospheric agents here described]
.30
contemplation high-flight bird observation eating kitchen
learning working entrance hall
working
VIEWPOINT
TERRACE
E
C RA
R
TE
S
EXHIBITION
R
RY
AU
T ES
RA
T
N RA
HALL
LIB
E
RAC
TER
TERRACE
MS
BEDROO
ACE
R TER
ES
TIV
EA
CR IES
ILIT
FAC ING
RK -WO
CO
ON
I
T EP
C
RE
B
LA S
R
M OO
CL
S AS