"Refugia" reimagines safe havens as spaces fostering multispecies symbiosis and renewal. Drawing inspiration from Donna Haraway's ecological theories, the project integrates architectural interventions, native plantings, pollinator habitats, and stakeholder collaboration to create financial, ecological, and vocational feedback loops. It emphasizes non-human-centric, anti-colonial approaches, prioritizing relational complexity and localized action.
Located in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, La Cava exemplifies stark socioeconomic divides, with a physical wall separating affluent areas from informal settlements. Historically shaped by industrial soil excavation, La Cava suffers from a significant drop in elevation, causing waste management issues, flooding, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. These challenges are compounded by inadequate infrastructure and overcrowding.
The proposal seeks to heal division through integrated ecological and community-focused design. In collaboration with the Ribera Norte Municipal Natural Park—Argentina's first municipal protected area—the project incorporates bioswale vegetation, endangered seed propagation, and partnerships with governments and eco-conscious donors. These efforts aim to revitalize local ecosystems and cultural traditions, fostering community pride.
Key features include a meandering ramp overlooking a bioswale, leading to a daycare center for child drop off on the way to jobs the market provides, spaces for gastronomy and nutritional education, and an apothecary, creating a holistic model for regeneration.
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