TerraViva Competitions - Architecture and Design Competitions

Image © Getty Images – La Habana Vieja

The Cuban Square – Architecture Competition – Thanks to its extraordinary historical memory and to the authenticity of its precious architectural legacy, Havana can certainly be considered a “Heritage City”. Its genuine and engaging spirit derives not only from the renowned quality of its music and rhythms, its lively street life and friendly atmosphere, but also and specially from its built environment.

The designation of Old Havana as a UNESCO site in 1982 was an important distinction that drew the attention to the preservation of its urban fabric. The program to recover the historical centre had global recognition and it has expanded successfully to other Cuban cities, contributing to the preservation of the local culture and to the development of new touristic appeal.

Unfortunately, during the last decades it has not been possible to replicate these experiences in other neighbourhoods beyond the Old Havana, where the implementation of comprehensive programs is highly required. In fact, there is actually one particular place that outstands among the others and which deserves special attention, not only for its massive extension but also for its unique history: Plaza de la Revolución.

Thought and imagined as the new heart of the Cuban capital, the current state of the square is way far from that reality. Surrounded by the concrete building of the Ministry of the Interior – known for the huge mural of Che Guevara – and by the Telecommunications one with the iconic image of Camilo Cienfuegos, Plaza de la Revolución seems to be standing still, waiting to be to be rediscovered…

The Cuban Square – Architecture Competition – Thanks to its extraordinary historical memory and to the authenticity of its precious architectural legacy, Havana can certainly be considered a “Heritage City”. Its genuine and engaging spirit derives not only from the renowned quality of its music and rhythms, its lively street life and friendly atmosphere, but also and specially from its built environment.

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The designation of Old Havana as a UNESCO site in 1982 was an important distinction that drew the attention to the preservation of its urban fabric. The program to recover the historical centre had global recognition and it has expanded successfully to other Cuban cities, contributing to the preservation of the local culture and to the development of new touristic appeal.

Unfortunately, during the last decades it has not been possible to replicate these experiences in other neighbourhoods beyond the Old Havana, where the implementation of comprehensive programs is highly required. In fact, there is actually one particular place that outstands among the others and which deserves special attention, not only for its massive extension but also for its unique history: Plaza de la Revolución.

Thought and imagined as the new heart of the Cuban capital, the current state of the square is way far from that reality. Surrounded by the concrete building of the Ministry of the Interior – known for the huge mural of Che Guevara – and by the Telecommunications one with the iconic image of Camilo Cienfuegos, Plaza de la Revolución seems to be standing still, waiting to be to be rediscovered…

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Image © Gustavo Sanchez

Silos Buenos Aires – Architecture Competition – Despite being known as the “Paris of South America”, due to its grand boulevards and buildings with an evident French imprint, the city of Buenos Aires has a past strongly linked to the naval trade and the agricultural exports. In fact, by the end of the 19th century, the port of the capital became a strategic point for the economic activity of the whole nation.

The old infrastructural facilities of Puerto Madero, witnesses of a time when Argentina was considered “The Granary of the World”, are now part of the contemporary city and are perfectly integrated into a new urban skyline. Only a few port structures of extraordinary heritage value have remained intact, and without a doubt the most fascinating still standing ones are the Silos de la Junta Nacional de Granos.

Out of use for more than 90 years, today this majestic ruin has remained somehow suspended in time and trapped in an urban context that has not yet been able to rehabilitate it as it deserves…

Silos Buenos Aires – Architecture Competition – Despite being known as the “Paris of South America”, due to its grand boulevards and buildings with an evident French imprint, the city of Buenos Aires has a past strongly linked to the naval trade and the agricultural exports. In fact, by the end of the 19th century, the port of the capital became a strategic point for the economic activity of the whole nation.

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The old infrastructural facilities of Puerto Madero, witnesses of a time when Argentina was considered “The Granary of the World”, are now part of the contemporary city and are perfectly integrated into a new urban skyline. Only a few port structures of extraordinary heritage value have remained intact, and without a doubt the most fascinating still standing ones are the Silos de la Junta Nacional de Granos.

Out of use for more than 90 years, today this majestic ruin has remained somehow suspended in time and trapped in an urban context that has not yet been able to rehabilitate it as it deserves…

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EXHIBITION

Image © Musei Civici del Castello Visconteo

In partnership with the Department of Culture of Pavia’s Municipality, TerraViva has curated the setting up of an exhibition aimed at displaying the best projects received as part of the competition Hangar Ticinum – A Community Hub on the River.

Due to the great success of the initiative, it was decided to set up a wider exhibition than initially planned, integrating a series of sculptures dating back to the period between the two World Wars and several historical photographs of the main local architectures of the 1920s and 1930s.

The exhibition will be held at the Civic Museums (Castello Visconteo) and will remain open to the public from April 8^th until May 15^th.

In partnership with the Department of Culture of Pavia, TerraViva has curated the setting up of an exhibition aimed at displaying the best projects received as part of the competition Hangar Ticinum – A Community Hub on the River.

Show More...

Due to the great success of the initiative, it was decided to set up a wider exhibition than initially planned, integrating a series of sculptures dating back to the period between the two World Wars and several historical photographs of the main local architectures of the 1920s and 1930s.

The exhibition will be held at the Civic Museums (Castello Visconteo) and will remain open to the public from April 7^th until May 15^th.

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#2021

WINNERS

Image © Leku Studio – Del Rio Bani

Tactical Urbanism Now! – Architecture Competition – Over the last decade, cities all around the world have experimented with a wide range of urban transformations through colourful, flexible and light interventions. Nowadays, it has become more and more common to come across these type of projects in both, small towns and metropolises.

Tactical Urbanism proposes an innovative design approach that aims to achieve long-term regeneration with short-term strategies. In certain cases, due to the positive impact that these interventions have generated in the urban realm, projects that were once thought of as temporary have now become permanent.

Working at the scale of a street, a block or a building, tactical tools have the power to improve liveability citywide. Similar to the way acupuncture inserts needles into one part of the body to boost the well-being of the entire organism, these projects can actually lead to positive changes in an entire neighbourhood.

The so-called Smart City remains undoubtedly the one capable of placing the human element at the centre of every project, providing its inhabitants with high quality urban environments.

Tactical Urbanism Now! – Architecture Competition – Over the last decade, cities all around the world have experimented with a wide range of urban transformations through colourful, flexible and light interventions. Nowadays, it has become more and more common to come across these type of projects in both, small towns and metropolises.

Show More...

Tactical Urbanism proposes an innovative design approach that aims to achieve long-term regeneration with short-term strategies. In certain cases, due to the positive impact that these interventions have generated in the urban realm, projects that were once thought of as temporary have now become permanent.

Working at the scale of a street, a block or a building, tactical tools have the power to improve liveability citywide. Similar to the way acupuncture inserts needles into one part of the body to boost the well-being of the entire organism, these projects can actually lead to positive changes in an entire neighbourhood.

The so-called Smart City remains undoubtedly the one capable of placing the human element at the centre of every project, providing its inhabitants with high quality urban environments.

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