Seeking to provide a sustainable public building without interfering with the park´s everyday activities, the architects had to consider many things at once. The site is located within a public park called Urquiza, which is an important green spot in the city where people enjoy running, having picnics, playing with dogs, and romantic walks next to the river. The project is set on a sloping site within the park, and the design prompt called for an extension that expands upon of the existing building while keeping its independence.
The toilets are situated underneath a main avenue and are accessible via a ramp to the south or stairs to the north. Easy to clean and long-lasting cement surfaces cut down on maintenance, and internal doors made from galvanized sheet iron prevent vandalism. The long wavy wall in front of the basins and mirrors is made from a translucent type of U-shaped glass called Profilit. This luminous wall lets natural light in while keeping the indoors private. It’s also hygienic and is made from many easy-to-assemble long vertical panels.
The project also features a sitting area and a playground built within the same space. The sitting area has concrete outdoor furniture designed as simple modernist cubes that provide space for people to eat or drink mate alfresco while enjoying fantastic views of the Paraná River. The playground was designed to include disabled children – it features a hammock for wheelchairs and a bright green synthetic grass floor that prevents nasty bangs.
Via Plataforma Arquitectura
Photos © Luis Vignoli
