Designing a space for co-existence

Disparity. Division. Divide. The many words are synonymous with the cultural, social, and economic barriers that are being physically manifested through walls. Historically meant for defense, the structure saw its inception in around the tenth millennium B.C. But twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, they are prominently back in fashion.

Some mark the border between two countries, others the separation between communities. Be it temporary or permanent, they are often built for 'security' purposes. Be it Europe blocking the passage of refugees, the USA building a wall with Mexico, or Israel isolating itself from Palestinians. But besides that, it is also being used to separate the inhabitants of a city on an economic basis. 

In Lima, Peru - the economic divide has manifested into a six-mile-long wall dividing the city’s rich and poor.  The concrete wall has altered the lives and perceptions of those on each side. It also stands as a testament to Lima’s economic disparity, which has cut across the culture for ages

Brief is to design an urban link - a non-aggressive and socially inclusive border crossing, eliminating the current wall. A landscape feature and a public platform that bridges the gap between the two communities.

 

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Felipe Ferrer, Partner, V.Oid, lima, Peru

Rodolfo Jaime Cortegana Morgan, Lead architect, Llosa Cortegana Arquitectos, Lima, Peru

Aldo Facho Dede, Editor Principal, Red Lationamericana de Urbanistas, Lima , Peru

Cynthia Seinfeld Lemlig, Co-Founder / Main Architect, Seinfeld Arquitectos/ Tandem Arquitectura, Lima, Peru

Some of the Best of competition projects are:

 

Winning Project: the LINE and the NET

By: Concursos Bvrd Ochenta Y Cuatro

Description: The LINE processes the transition of the original wall into a path that reverses the meaning of separation and exclusion, and transforms the character of the whole towards an idea of connection. The NETWORK proposes the seam between two disparate worlds (formal and informal) and culture is the nexus that, with its transforming capacity, links them.

-----------------

People’s Choice: RETHINKING WALLS

By: Marcelo Santos

Description: Rethinking walls concept is a view on how to reconsider elements of an area that became its character for bad reasons. It is a demonstration of how to look at something with a new set of eyes. It proves that a wall doesn't need to be a barrier if used the proper way.

----------------

Editor’s Choice: Divide 13 - Manos

By: Salman Cassimally & Erlend Birkeland

Description: This project serves as a bridge between the wealthy Las Casuarinas community and the disfavored Pamplano Alta. The design aims to bring them together by the power of crafts. Pamplona Alta's community uses their ingenuity to produce local/ regional crafts which can then be sold and link Las Casuarinas, a wealthy community to their Peruvian identity.

--------------------

Editor’s Choice: 420

By: Darina Mulyukova

Description: We decided to take the number of «420» as a basis in our project. It represents the number of months the wall existed, dividing and shamefully increasing the inequality of the inhabitants of Lima. The hard and steep climb up the relief consists of a staircase of 420 steps and is 60 meters high. We named it the «Staircase of Redemption».

 

---

 

Discover the design brief here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/divide-13/info/about/ 

Discover the full results here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/divide-13/entries/ 

---

Follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube

---

Discover other design competitions to participate here: https://uni.xyz/competitions