Quinta Normal Park (renovation of the pond and acceses)
Architects:
Teodoro Fernández, Danilo Martic Philippe Blanc, José Villarroel
Collaborators: Commissioner:
Housing and Urban Planning Ministry Metropolitan Regional Bureau
Area: 4.5 hectares Construction Year: 2009 – 2010
The Quinta Normal Park modification proposal sought to address three issues that form the core of today’s concerns about the urban development of cities: the push for development of public spaces, the concern for the preservation of existing heritage - in as much as it highlights the usefulness value over the market value of cities - and care about sustainability and green areas. Based on these values the project strove to interpret and enhance the historical, landscaping, architectural and urban aspects of the place and its contribution to the development of Santiago, its neighborhoods and districts. Also, to highlight the character of the Quinta Normal Park as a democratic, popular and festive public space, so as to ensure its continuity as an attractive scenario for the image of the urban and social development of Santiago for the XXI century. Also, to reflect the current relevant conditions for a public space that is sustainable in its ecological and urban dimensions. Officially opened in 1842, the Quinta Normal Park was designed by the French naturalist Claudio Gay as an enclosure to acclimatize agricultural and botanical species. It immediately became a great public park, the first in the country and eventually a reference in Latin America.
First stage
As part of a Bicentennial project this first phase dealt with the access and the pond, a high traffic area much deteriorated by large crowds as well as by the numerous previous modifications. The proposal considered the simultaneous conservation, recovery and restoration of existing elements. The north-south axis (Santo Domingo Avenue entrance) and east-west axis (Matucana entrance) are included in the project. Its recovery responded to the new uses, to conservation and development of tree species and incorporation of minor plantation strata in a proposal that can be integrated as an emblematic access to the existing Quinta Normal Park. To recover the original value of the pond, transformed into a public pool, the design proposed banks capable of supporting underwater plants and species and also host various birds, as in a wetland. In exchange, in the space left by the construction works of the subway – a deep excavation of 23 m in diameter - a great fountain was built allowing passers-by to cool off in its waters.
Corte embarcadero / Section through landing pier
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