Situation_
Antofagasta. Chile
Date_
2014
Area_
42.000 m2
Project and construction management_
Gádor de Carvajal, Juan Casariego y José Riesco. Collaboratos: Pablo Núñez y Juan Vicente
Client_
Fundación Ruinas de Huanchaca. CREO.
-
Antofagasta, a mining town, has been developed on a mountain ridge along the coast. Its striking profile offers the possibility of spectacular urban viewpoints, places to rest and areas that offer public amenities such as libraries. These places of public use will help to link the linear city since they will articulate the pedestrian paths and form deterrents for car parking.
Within this context, the aim is to restore and appreciate the value of the ruins of the mine’s exploitation of minerals and the washing of materials by displaying them to the city, together with the development on the site of new complementary uses (restaurants, Planetarium, workshops, parking…) making the new museum more attractive, open to views, and all placed on top of the ruins.
The layout of the distinctive parts renews the north to south connection via the new University zone, whilst keeping the large plain free for occasional events. The communication from east to west, currently non-existent because of the difference in levels, is resolved by ramps and landscaped terraces and one mechanical central element, supported on the original fall of water. This way, a new point of connection from the city opens towards the sea, in an area in which new developments require urban interventions like the one proposed here.