Propuesta independiente presentada para el concurso virtual de Archmedium, denominado MESH (Medellín social housing) el cual planteaba el desarrollo de una propuesta sobre un lote en el centro de la ciudad de Medellín (actual parqueadero), mas específicamente en el sector del hueco, y en el cual deberían conservarse las preexistencias del lugar, integrándose con el proyecto, mejorando las condiciones del lugar y potencializando unas dinámicas urbanas en relación con el uso habitacional.

The project arise from the interest of developing a new integral urban habitat related to the preexisting conditions in the Centre of Medellin, in an area known as “El HUECO” (the hole) ;a place of diversity, saturation, transgressions, where all can happen… a paradoxical adaptation of the built space, a waterproof landscape.

The big block where the project was developed, appears as an opportunity in a high density conformation, where the preexisting big void is to consider this places not as an isolate spot, but as a center of integration for the preexisting constructions and the low density zones around, with opportunity to develop. This proposal values the actual dynamics, instead of implementing a traditional urban renovation. I consider it is better an urban acupuncture intervention.

The challenge and interest of the project was to answer how the new urban communities from the countryside, or in general, from all around the city, with needs of an integral urban habitat, could and should live in a preexisting urban area like this. Specifically, areas that present a lack of green public space, and ecological disarticulation, and have developed in the tradition of an urban popular culture.

URBAN SOCIAL VIVARIUM is a project that transforms the preexisted enclosure space in a new unexpected green public space. It is a soft space for discovering in the big built mass of the HUECO, improving the habitability conditions in this area of the city.

The countryside as an undefined space and as a model of productive life style represents a conceptual reference for developing a project that potentiates an integrated and almost self-sufficient community but recognizing and retaining some actual conditions and urban dynamics.