PARQ Arquitectos is a design studio specializing in architecture, design, and urban planning situated in Uruguay. The company’s ethos stems from wanting to create good quality designs evident in every stage of the design process. While their designs are logical and efficient for the users, the practice’s style of presentation is both eye-catching as well as engaging. The practice uses stunning visuals often at night making evident the play of light in their projects.
This article will introduce you to 15 outstanding projects by PARQ Arquitectos presenting you with their exceptional design skills in numerous contexts.
1. CARU
This project is situated adjacent to the Puente General Artigas, a bridge that connects Argentine territory and Uruguayan territory. The design is part of a competition designing for the Binational Environmental Laboratory of the Administrative Commission of the Uruguay River, CARU in short.
The design proposal gave transparency to the laboratory through its façade as well as highlighted the importance of nature through the two internal atriums. The Uruguay River holds a lot of significance due to its role as a water resource and CURA aims to ensure its maintenance.
2. BSE Sanatorium
This project is part of a competition entry for the construction of a new Sanatorium and National Rehabilitation Centre of the State Insurance Bank (BSE). The form of the proposal fits in well with its surroundings.
The building is simple and effective, providing a variety of rooms separated for privacy as well as more shared spaces for the community health program of the building. This includes a pool and a gym split by a corridor but joined through glass panels. The rooms are spacious and well-lit through windows which provide a beautiful view towards the outside.
3. Mar del Plata
This project consisted of redesigning and restoring the Municipal Palace and Annex Building of the Municipality Gral. Pueyrredón. The design is very interconnected with the spaces opening up the main entrance. The central atrium is an open space that can be viewed from several parts of the building and has an open space at the top of the building to allow sunlight into the space. The new proposal makes the building accessible to the public and highlights different public spaces.
4. Yard
This project consisted of creating an educational infrastructure of which the majority of them are kindergartens. The design has a traditional roof and has the structural elements of the building exposed on the inside. A large amount of natural sunlight is entering the building which is vital for educational settings.
The windows within the classrooms vary in shape as well as size which adds a level of curiosity for the children. Since the competition covers a range of locations, PARQ Arquitectos suggested adapting the designs depending on the site.
5. AGADU
This project is a completed construction of the General Association of Authors in Uruguay. The building has a horizontally striped façade which draws attention to the idea of books. The first floor is very transparent and welcoming while the other floors are more hidden from the public.
The project plays with the light within the building as the façade looks completely white but once the outside becomes darker, the internal office spaces become noticeable. The section drawing makes it noticeable how the floors vary.
6. Vidart Library
Although this project earned PARQ Arquitectos a mention in the competition, the thinking behind it is very important. The library encloses in such a way that nature becomes its centre point. The use of wood as a building’s main material creates a clear link between the woods externally. The design gives visitors a chance to roam for books and fully engage with the view of the woods.
The shape of the library also allows for the small library to appear vast and more interesting to engage with since walking to find a book also demands that you walk through the rest of the building.
7. UTEC Fray Bentos
This competition consists of designing the Headquarters of the Regional Technology Institute (ITR) part of the Technological University (UTEC). The proposal integrates old and new with the first floor having detail of a brick structure but the top part of the building being designed as a steel structure façade with a lot of glazing. This creates a strong contrast and overall strong visual distinction between other buildings. Similar to the previous designs there is great importance given to natural lighting.
8. Strip of Time and Life Contest
This competition is different from the previous designs since it does not consist of a building but rather a strip which is found between the ocean and motorway. The strip has lighting features as well as a specific brick layout to add emphasis. PARQ Arquitectos became a finalist to the project which was to highlight the strip to be of time and life.
The lighting features are most impactful during the night where symbols appear through the screen for the pedestrians to see.
9. Independence Square
PARQ Arquitectos managed to receive the second prize for their remodeling of the Plaza Independencia in Montevideo. The practice decided to expand the plaza from the initial shape of a central square with rounded corners to using the full square. The space also aims to be more accessible, and this is done by removing the physical barriers present.
The whole space is meant for large events, but the plaza has been split into categories, where the long strips of the plaza are places to sit. Towards the center-right of the plaza, there will be ceremonial events held which are more formal. Finally, the opposite side on the left is the cultural section.
10. International Competitive Bidding
Similar to the Yard project the design aims to create mainly kindergartens at a large scale throughout Uruguay as well as CAIF centers. This design is notable due to its play on colors where contrast is created between the brick walls and single color walls.
The outdoor play area has an overhang that can protect the children from rain. The rooms are spacious and well equipped. The rooms are all next to each other since there is no second floor.
11. The Quijote
This project is a single-family summer house in Uruguay designed with a large amount of transparency to capture the surrounding views. The small frame of the building allows the view towards the outside to be greater. The slap in front of the house ensures the family can walk out and enjoy the view similar to a patio.
The simplicity of window placement and private areas hints towards the layout of the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe.
12. CAFAR
This project is set in Argentina where the aim was to design a building that would house the Preliminary Projects for New Office Building and Complementary Activities (CAFAR). The design is very vibrant where the ground floor is very open compared to the rest of the building which is not very transparent.
Only the light from the offices and spaces is visible. One thing which stands out in this project is the use of models to indicate the inside.
13. New Civic and Citizen Space of Talca
This is another competition entry by PARQ Arquitectos. The competition consists of designing a new Civic and Citizen Centre from the site of the Talca prison. The design is well integrated into the urban environment but also provides a plaza in the middle which accommodates trees. The center has two distinct buildings above the main entrance.
The façade is visually appealing with repeated white patterns of squares and rectangles in front of glazing.
14. Contest Urban Project of the Arroyo Sandú Chico Basin
PARQ Arquitectos has managed to win the first prize in the Partial Urbanization of the Sandú Chico stream basin in Uruguay. The project aims to generate a new urban space which in turn creates a strong internal cohesion between the areas to be urbanized and those part of the natural environment.
The practice not only makes use of the already existing public spaces but also seeks to diversify the residential areas already present in Durazno.
15. Torch
This is the final project presented in the article. This project won first prize and was nominated by the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize in the United States. The design works well with its surroundings due to its shape and its façade having rectangular repeated patterns similar to neighboring buildings.
Moreover, the internal space is very engaging with a large staircase leading visitors into the upper floors of the building. On the inside, the view of the outside is visible from all corners.