Centro Communitario La Boca

CEN TRO COMMUN ITARIO Washington University in Buenos Aires Architecture Studio / Autumn 2015

centro communitario ribera de la boca This project addresses the need for public services in an underserved sector of Buenos Aires: an informal settlement in the neighborhood of La Boca. The proposed intervention seeks to establish community anchor points of classrooms that are connected by a network of gathering spaces that weave into one another. They provide enriching cultural spaces for interaction, commerce and relaxation. Construction technique validates informal construction materials and can be built and modified by community members in time.

Traditional Community Amenities

Fragmented Community Amenities

CONCEPTUAL STRATEGY Establish community anchor points connected by a network of usable spaces that blur into one another, providing enriching cultural spaces for interaction, commerce and relaxation.

TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

FRAGMENTED APPROACH TO PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

FRAGMENTED APPROACH TO PROGRAM WITHIN SITE CONDITIONS

INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

SAND SILOS

SITE STRATEGY A field that spans two city blocks along an edge mediating between highway, levee, and an industrial riverfront.

Organize the community center so that it both physically and conceptually bridges between the informal settlement to the south, industrial structures and cultural centers to the west and along the river coast, and the larger community of La Boca further to the west. The expansive character of this project contributes to the project’s sense of permanence by providing the infrastructure necessary to build upon. By incorporating more land into the project, it claims the land as a community asset, and further enables enhancement of the neighborhood.

Large walls guide the visitor through the site. They help to curate views, anchor the park into the context, as well as fold to form spaces. These walls create links between enclosures that provide auxiliary space for various programs and recreation.

PROJECT LOCATION

INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

PALACIO DES ARTES

Avenida Aristรณbulo del Valle

Avenida Pinzon

Avenida Brandsen

site plan A v e n i d a S u10m a r e z 20m

40m

Each building can be used as a stand alone building, with its own organizations and own hours of operation. However, through a similar mode of construction, the collection of enclosures become unified, acting as a larger resource for community members.

The buildings are outward focused, unlike the informal settlements that are inward facing.

Nevertheless, similar to informal settlements this cluster of enclosures are organized in order to generate exploration and discovery through the complex. Spaces are layered and not necessarily exposed all at once. One must spend time in the community center for the spaces and opportunities to unfold.

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GROUND PLAN 10m 20m

40m

Circulation

Exterior Program

primary circulation secondary circulation

playground south entry

open lawn market aromatic garden parking entry education garden north entry

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Enclosure

Program

public commons education hub recreation hall

classrooms (5) administration gymnasium kitchen/cafe restrooms

STRUCTURAL STRATEGY Through the misuse of vernacular building technique, this project acknowledges community members’ construction abilities as an asset. By building in a way that those living in the informal settlement are familiar with, the construction of this project can employ members of the immediate community. In doing so, the community begins to take ownership of the project, thus promising a greater chance that the project will be embraced and taken care of by the community. Further, this building technique communicates to all of Argentina, that this way of building, typically seen as sub-par, is credible and can be optimized for refined design. It validates and supports informal housing.

typical brick and concrete construction technique

proposed misuse of typical brick and concrete construction

Reinforced Concrete Foundation

Polished Concrete Floor, Stage, and Bleachers

Drainage Pipes Through Space from Roof to Ground

Structural Slanted U-Columns

Wide Flange Beams Connecting Columns

T-Beams as Secondary Structure for Glass and Cap

Ceiling Bolted to Underside of Top Flange on Beam

U-Beam and Gutter

Aluminum C-Channel Resting on Wide Flange Beam

Secondary Plywood Ceiling Set in between T-Beams

Batt Insulation Set in Between C Channels

Corrugated Metal Roof and Aluminum Cap at Edge

Ceramic Brick Bearing Walls

Concrete Slabs and Beams Supported by Ceramic Brick Walls

Glass and Mullions

aluminum cap U beam gutter corrugated metal roof galvanized steel C channel 2in batt insulation

20mm ceiling wide flange beam n °450 T beam, 3in x 1/4in 18mm plywood ceiling

glass window w/ alum. frame

concrete sill ceramic block 19mm x 19mm x 39mm 0.42 brace between walls vapour and moisture barrier 0.160mm drainage pipe U Beam n °450 capillary water insulation 20mm rubber gym floor 200mm concrete slab on grade gravel base

0.6mm stirrup 0.16mm rebar

DETAIL SECTION 0.5m 1.0m

2.0m

SOUTH ENTRY

SECTION 2.5m

5m

10m

TECTONIC ITERATIONS paper and tape

EDUCATION HUB

CROSS SECTION 2.5m

5m

SOUTH LAWN

10m

WITHIN COMPLEX