Salón Verde

It is inspiring that some of AZCA’s owners have created an initiative to reinvigorate AZCA’s public spaces.

How can we ensure that this collective effort becomes a success? How can we revitalize the area? What are the critical ingredients that will make it more successful and attractive?

The solution to this lies in user comfort and attractiveness.

Let’s create a new AZCA that has a refreshing coolness in summer, and welcoming warmth in winter, making the space an emblem for climate comfort, social inclusiveness, and vibrancy.

A diverse range of users, from office workers, families, children, and the elderly will bring AZCA to life with a diverse range of activities around the clock and throughout all seasons. People will be inspired to visit, to leisurely walk around, to meet friends and to linger a while to enjoy the cool breezes and vibrant atmosphere that the public spaces, amenities, and adjacent program will offer to the different user groups.

The first step in the vision involves making the urban space more legible and accessible by demolishing all redundant structures including pavement, stairs, ramps, differences in elevation, and unwanted obstacles. This will enhance the quality of the lower levels and introduce areas of vegetation and ventilation. The next step is to plant a dense forest, creating a diverse landscape that filters the air, provides shade and shelter, and promotes biodiversity. Paving with permeable materials creates a more natural and warm sensation, while poetic lighting enhances the landscape.

The programming of outdoor spaces includes sports and leisure activities, connected by an exterior circuit and an interior programmatic ring. The transformation of terrace areas and the creation of a central plaza will be key points for activating the space. The central plaza, surrounded by greenery, will be the heart of the new AZCA, with topography that supports planting and creates spaces for various activities. The introduction of a variable water feature will allow the plaza’s use to adapt according to climatic conditions and user needs.

The vertical forest, with vegetation at different levels, will extend the green space upwards, providing shade, purifying the air, and offering viewpoints and recreational areas. Stairs, ramps, and elevators will connect the various levels of the vertical forest, transforming it into a new urban landmark with climbing areas, play zones, and recreational structures. Large openings in the structure will allow sunlight to enter and create shadow projections.

The structure of the vertical forest, made of prefabricated elements, will be flexible and adaptable for future extensions and uses. A series of walkways will connect the vertical forest structure to the surrounding buildings, facilitating access from workspaces.