The maritime border is conceived as a dialogue between the water and the people, by means of passable water mirrors.
The objective was to facilitate the physical and visual access to the historic Strait of Magellan by building the Maritime Terminal below ground level. Over the ground, a simple yet powerful geometric element: an inclined crystal cube. The cube seams to be floating over a water mirror, reflecting the ocean, the stormy skies of Punta Arenas and the city's skyline, emerging as an icon for the city. Through this element the underground terminal is lit.
The Terminal is conceived as the showcase of the city of Punta Arenas, a mix-used space for visitors and citizens alike to discover the history and current reality of the city, its products, weather, its peoples and its pioneer spirit in a dynamic and entertaining way. The space houses permanent and temporal exhibitions about the history and present of the mythical Patagonia, book shops, local crafts shops, a conference hall, an ice skate ring, local food restaurants and admire the maritime fauna of the strait in the aquarium zone. On top of all that, a high lookout over a 30 meter tower, having the view of the Strait and the city in one, jaw-dropping, instant.
The idea is thinking of the Terminal not just as a transit place for passengers, but a key milestone in the city, full of life and cultural and entertaining activities, a permanent meeting place for everyone.
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