A new vibrancy for a Buenos Aires business district
A two tower development with sky bridges and green terraces is tipped to bring new vibrancy to an important Buenos Aires business precinct.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has designed a waterfront venture destined to become the centre of activity in the expansion of the Catalinas Norte business district.
Catalinas Rio will consist of two intertwined trapezoidal towers offering both public green space and retail opportunities. SOM says “the project will create a new, vibrant identity for the district and the city skyline.”
Catalinas Rio is expected to be complete in 2022, and is aiming for a LEED Gold Certification.
Boasting 29 and 22 floors, the two towers will establish an urban window as they are intersected by floor plates which act as bridges. Large landscaped decks featuring seating and plantings can be traversed by employees, and recessed balconies full of greenery will offer views of the waterfront and city.
The buildings are terraced to provide outdoor spaces for all weather and seasons, roof decks receive ample sunlight while tower balconies are more shaded. All up, the terraces will offer 10,000m2 of permeable outdoor space.
The development aims to become the centre of activity in the expansion of the Catalinas Norte business district.
The expansion of Catalinas Norte aims to bring the city closer to the waterfront by moving motorways underground and building over former railway lines. A proposed pedestrian bridge will cross these rail lines and motorways, as well as the Rio de la Plata, connecting the building to the river promenade, ferry terminal, and a mixed-use neighbourhood named Puerto Madero.
An outdoor urban square will connect to the street, the waterfront and every part of the building. Drawing inspiration from the open spaces in Buenos Aires’ urban fabric, it will be nestled between the two towers, close to public transport and with existing public parks in close proximity.
Eduardo F. Costantini, President of Consultatio Real Estate, says that Catalinas Rio, “was born as a strategic project, a crucial point of contact and passage through areas destined for commercial activities, combined with green spaces and cultural, tourist, governmental and historic sites. It’s a new icon that will change Buenos Aires’ skyline view from the river.”
The two towers will establish an urban window.
Further to this, SOM design partner Gary Haney describes the result as, “an unorthodox solution that aims to set a precedent in Buenos Aires office design, with a primary focus on wellness, open space and creating a new urban identity.”
Catalinas Rio is expected to be complete in 2022, and is aiming for a LEED Gold Certification.
The development will change Buenos Aires’ skyline view from the river.