Puerto Gaboto's 'Entre Horizontes' landscape center opens

In Puerto Gaboto, Santa Fe, a new landscape interpretation center named "Entre Horizontes" has opened, designed to harmonize with the unique geography of the region where the land meets the confluence of two rivers. The central design principle places inhabitants on the higher ground while leaving the river at its natural lower elevation.

The structure itself rises above the ground, following the natural slope without alteration. It rests on a system of piles that touch the ground at specific, reversible points. A symbolic axis, a pre-existing cross on the site, guides the pedestrian and vehicular paths, organizing the layout of the complex.

The design thoughtfully addresses varying degrees of privacy, ranging from secluded areas to communal spaces, all while maintaining a dialogue with the surrounding landscape and its dynamic processes. The building is fragmented into volumes that subtly rotate, allowing each section to find its optimal orientation and exposure to the environment.

The center is divided into three main nuclei. The first houses administrative and service functions, including rooms, a kitchen, and bathrooms. The second is the interpretation center itself, featuring an exhibition hall, meeting room, office, and storage. The third is a flexible space for community activities like fairs and workshops. Each nucleus can operate independently, enabling the center to host occasional visitors without disrupting the residents.

Connections between these nuclei are made via platforms that follow the terrain, minimizing ground impact and creating observation points overlooking the wetland. The accessible circulation ensures a smooth transition between enclosed and open spaces, encouraging public interaction and appropriation. The construction employs lightweight, modular, and demountable elements made from low-environmental-impact materials, facilitating assembly, potential relocation, or expansion, and ensuring the structure integrates with the wetland rather than dominating it. The use of wood in the roofing and supporting structure echoes the traditional riverside constructions of the area.