CITI TEXT

“CITIZENSHIP PLAZA” COUNTERPROPOSAL Lacation: Libertador B. O´Higgins Avenue. Santiago, Chile Architect: Enrique Browne Collaborators: Andrés Frávega, Claudio Peña, Patricio Sancha and Claudio Campos Models: Verónica Celedón Plot Area: 40.000 M2. Date: 2000

The B. O´Higgins “Alameda” is the main avenue in Santiago, dating from 1821, following the initial sketches by the Bernardo O´Higgins himself. Our counterproposal was concluded in 2000. It aimed the preservation of this avenue, at the same time as remodeling the Plaza which would cross it, serving as a frame for La Moneda, the government building and main symbol of republican Chile. In 1995, the Minister of Public Works organized an ideas competition for the remodeling of the square. Three groups shared the first prize. All of them sunk the “Alameda” in tunnels in front of La Moneda, creating above a hard surface pedestrian plaza of four hectares. “The Ministry of Public Works stayed with three prizes and no project” said by a magazine. Therefore, the Ministry elaborated its own synthesis. Many official proposals are reasonable. However, sinking “La Alameda” in front La Moneda is serious. “La Alameda” is the east west structural access of Santiago, with an enormous functional and historic significance. There exists as well a north south axis that joins La Moneda with Plaza Almagro. This two axis, one vehicular and the other pedestrian, cross each other. Likewise, it’s convenient to separate their flows but, by sinking the Plaza and not the Alameda, reducing it to a mere highway. La Moneda is the most representative building of the country and master work of neoclassicism in South America. Millions of “santiaguinos” recognized passing day by day in front of it. A minority does this by feet. Therefore, sinking “La Alameda” and hiding La Moneda would ruin irremediably “the image of the city”. It also involves spending millions of dollars in the above Plaza and simultaneously making it invisible. Furthermore, the “santiaguinos” prefer nature instead of huge paved plazas. Additionally, institutional buildings, of burocratic and sad appearance, surround it without activities on the street. Level it would have very little use. When the official proposal was published in 1998, I sketched an alternative proposal. In 2000, it was confirmed that the Plaza would be built, and we elaborated a more detailed counterproposal. The Plaza with trees, grass and water sinks five meters passing below La Alameda. It would become a pleasant outdoor area. The bridges would be clad in glass and lit from below. A “green double skin” was added to enliven the surrounding buildings. La Moneda would be seen from the Plaza and from the bridges.