The project aims to create a new central area in Mairena del Aljarafe (Seville) through the improvement of the existing public space. In order to reach this goal, vehicular traffic is segregated and placed beneath the ground, thus liberating a large public space on the surface dedicated to leisure, work and commercial activities. The complex consists of short structures and two polygonal shaped towers that reinforce their height and promote a coherent image of the whole complex.
The actual legislation for the area suggested the location of an underground public parking in the southern side of the plot of ASGE – 1. Above this, a compact structure dedicated to commercial activities is also planned. This building consists of a two-floor basement above which two vertical volumes of 15-floor of maximum height are placed. In this way, both bus and taxi stops are settled in the zone where traffic situation is more troubled in the town.
A clear and simple operation diagram is provided, in order to avoid interference between different flows in the building and to speed up the displacements. As a consequence, the access of both public and private transport occur from A-3121 street, thus avoiding the traffic congestion of the main entrance. With the same purpose, three exits are placed in conjunction with the streets that limit the plot.
The interchanger. The Interchanger façade that faces the main street takes advantage of the natural topography of the site by the design of a deck that serves as a base for a pedestrian use park, that connects and unifies the different happenings that occur around the plot, offering an alternative of outdoor leisure activities. A public parking is designed in the three levels underground for Metro users. At the same level a connection with bus, taxi and Metro stops is planned. The parking is also connected with the hotel towers, offices and retail areas.
The public space. One of the main objectives was the creation of a new Public Space that could revise the concept of plaza and its meaning in new cities urban texture. Because of that, the roof of the Interchanger will serve as support for a park exclusively of pedestrian use. This park connects and unifies the different happenings that occur around the plot, offering an outdoor alternative for leisure activities.
The relationship with the landscape. Given the limited availability of materials and construction techniques, the construction is realised with the use of a single material. This strategy gives the building unity and clarity in the composition. The perimeter of the towers has been defined by a polygonal line. In this same way, the verticality is emphasized by pronounced shadows and reflection games. The irregularity of the perimeter also allows different points of view of the building, resulting in the image of two sculptures immediately recognizable.