Public Space and Community Infrastructure: Mesuca Sports Complex

2011 – 2012

Project Lead:

Ignacio Cardona

Team:

Oscar Rodríguez, Rodrigo Guerra, Jesús Belmonte, Manuel Zorrilla, Stephanie Batikoff, Ricardo Espósito, Carla Boschetti, Maria Izquiel

Consultants:

Manuel Llorens, Social Support, Parque Social Padre Manuel Aguirre, SJ; Betty Díaz, Community Member; Tatiana Noguera, Social Investment, Instituto Municipal de Vivienda y Hábitat (IMVIH)

Client:

Municipality of Sucre

Location:

Petare, Caracas, Venezuela

*

Located on a site previously occupied by a landfill and crossed by more than 100,000 pedestrians and commuters daily, the Mesuca Sports Complex transforms a contested site into community infrastructure and public space. The project connects surrounding neighborhoods, incorporates community participation, and enables phased construction according to available resources.

Three elements organize the project: a vertical gym as a community landmark, a green roof extending the public realm, and a central patio integrating water, sports areas, and stands. Together, they create a connective piece of public infrastructure within Petare.