Ciudadela
Santurce, PR 2021

Ciudadela

1,700,000 ft2 (158,000 m2)

In the Renaissance city, the citadel was a fortified enclosure, whose interior served as the last refuge for the population in times of war. Essentially, it functioned as a small city within the city, capable of housing and meeting the needs of its citizens in the event of an invasion.

The project presented here uses the concept of the citadel as a metaphor—The City Within the City—to create a new multipurpose center for Santurce Centro. At a time when the city's vitality is threatened by the unchecked expansion of suburban developments on its outskirts, CIUDADELA emerges as a revitalizing alternative for the urban core.

The project is located on an urban lot spanning 6.20 cuerdas (24,370 m²) within a large city block. This block is bounded to the north by Calle Antonsanti, to the south by Avenida Ponce de León, to the east by Calle del Parque, and to the west by the "STOP 22" building. The new configuration of the parcel results in an irregular perimeter that faces three of these streets, providing permeability that facilitates access to its center and connections to several points within the surrounding urban fabric.

The new parcel enhances the project's presence on Calle del Parque and emphasizes the spatial connector leading to Ciudadela's Central Plaza. Through the project, the parcel shapes a new urban grid that enables:

  • The subdivision of the parcel into three smaller lots, breaking up the perimeter of the large city block and creating smaller blocks that align with the scale of the surrounding blocks.
  • The creation of a varied spatial experience for public enjoyment through new promenades, small squares, gardens, and plazas.
  • The congregation and unification of diverse commercial and residential uses in a livable and accessible environment.
  • The continuation and completion of the spatial sequence (proposed in the Santurce Centro Master Plan) from the Museum Garden to Avenida Ponce de León, integrating Calle San Mateo into the sequence. Providing Santurce with a destination capable of hosting large-scale activities, such as festivals (e.g., Santurce se pone sabroso).
Architectural Team
Miguel Angel Lage, Nelda Molini, Luis Santi, Gabriel Cruz, Wendy Escalona, Claudia Rosa, Vincent Pieri, Camila Lamela, Michelle Mora, Glenda Arroyo, Vanessa Ayerbe, Marta Colón
Structural Engineering
FCA Structural/Civil Engineers
Electrical Engineering
Juan R. Requena & Asociados Ingenieros C.S.P.
Mechanical Engineering
José Luis García, PE & Jorge Torres Scandali, PE
Contractor
Bird Construction