Playa Ahumada

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Playa Ahumada

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Design Problem:How to design a building for a very powerful site?
The fort San Felipe del Morro is a UNESCO world heritage site. The
project site is located directly in front of the fort between the its
walls and the rocks, which are constantly slammed by the Atlantic Ocean.
It is the first visual connection with Old San Juan for cruise ships
and freight ships about to enter into the port.
The site morphology of steep rocks adds to the complexity of the design
challenge at hand.
Approach:
In order to address the uniqueness of the site as well as the proximity
to the historically significant neighbor, it is imperative that the
proposed design establishes a strong connection with the true essence of
Puerto Rico.
To achieve this one must look into the history and culture of Puerto
Rico. The approach was through learning and experiencing this small
island U.S. territory.
Solution:
The final design proposes a series of free-standing structures that
house the programmatic elements. Inspiration for this has come from the
informal way of life in Puerto Rico. The beaches are lined with
kioskos that serve local delicacies in a laid back atmosphere. This was
the spirit that I intended to capture here.
In order to address the “restaurant” and “nightclub” components of the
required program, I utilize the kitchens of the free-standing kioskos
along with outdoor seating as the dinning component of my design. The
central pavilion contains a stage and a large main floor that can
accommodate live music and performances, along with dancing.
The proposed design function as a hub of celebration of Puerto Rican
culture and lifestyle. It is a visual landmark visible from ships
entering the bay of San Juan. Additionally it is a connecting bridge
between the dead-ending Passeo de la Princessa, a promenade along the
bay of San Juan that currently ends at the tip of El Morro, and the
Cemetery of Old San Juan that is a forgotten historical landmark.
The cluster of structures is accessible by three major points; an
extension of Passeo de la Princessa, an existing structure on the wall
of El Morro, and from the Cemetery that becomes part of the new
circulation axis. Visual markers are incorporate at the entry points to
create thresholds.

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Christos Ntanas

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Playa Ahumada

Playa Ahumada

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team