Dynamic Duo Teagan Polizzi and Gray Burke take Mundo Momo by storm!

The Carnival of Barranquilla, a celebration of culture and tradition, is a highly anticipated annual event in Colombia. It is a vibrant collage of African, European, and indigenous customs and is celebrated before Lent each year. The event is marked by a parade of hand-crafted masks, floats, costumes, and instruments that showcase the diversity of the region's culture.

The preparation for the Carnival is a community undertaking that lasts year-round and is as important as the event itself. The process of creating costumes takes place in backyards, dances are practiced in the streets, and floats are constructed in temporary warehouses. However, a new project called Mundo Momo aims to provide a permanent infrastructure dedicated to the Carnival.

Mundo Momo, designed by a team of architects, is a concrete and steel structure that responds to the tropical climate of the region by utilizing vernacular building principles. The building is mostly open-air with a limited program sealed for air conditioning. The flexible doors, curtains, and louvres can be adjusted by users to accommodate weather and activity. The long metal roof has skylights and wind chimneys that provide light and ventilation. The program includes classrooms, costume workshops, float fabrication space, dance studios, and stadium seating.

Mundo Momo is not just an architectural project; it is also an urban project that was preceded by an intensive study of the site and region. The building is located on La Loma, an island along the Magdalena River, which is in danger of being developed at a scale too large for the city. The architects presented a master plan that thoughtfully integrates La Loma into Barranquilla's climate and urban fabric, using Mundo Momo as an example for future urban projects.

The project engages the spirit of Barranquilla through innovative drawings and physical models. Mundo Momo's permanent infrastructure will allow for the expansion of the Carnival while preserving its rich history. With this project, Barranquilla will have a new level of innovation and a landmark structure that will attract visitors from around the world.