Children Bicentennial Park [CHILE, 2012]
A project designed by ELEMENTAL in 2012, the Children Bicentennial Park in Chile offers a safe space for children in Santiago to play. Due to the effects of urbanization, Santiago has become densely populated, leaving not much room for public social spaces. Landscape that has traditionally be transformed into public space, such as the riverside, has already been converted to a highway. As a result, finding a suitable place for people in Santiago to socialize was a challenge for the city.
The San-Cristobal Hill is an old canal used for agriculture. In this architecture project, this hillside space has been transformed into a park for children. Looking at the photographs below, it is clear that at first glance the landscape may not be suitable for a park, due to its steep nature. However, by making layers of steps, the hill was transformed into a usable public space. The fencing allowed children to be safe while having fun exploring the heights of the terrain. To get to a new level, children can opt to use the stairs…or not. Intergrated with the steps are concrete slides connecting each level. It is short and gentle enough not to be a threat to the children’s safety, while fully utilizing the unique Chilean landscape. Scattered around the space are beautiful concrete spheres of various sizes, so that people and children can utilize them as seats.
While making full use of the space, ELEMENTAL creates a functional and safe public space that are aesthetically pleasing and addresses the issue of urbanization in Santiago.
Source: https://www.archdaily.com/461315/children-s-bicentebnnial-park-elemental
Ife's 212 Understanding Architecture Section 