Plaza de la Hoja

Bogotá, Colombia

Category Social Housing
Job type National Architecture Competition
Date 2013
Size 35,369 m²
Client MetroVivienda
Collaborators Juan Pablo Ortiz Arquitectos, CNI Ingenieros
Status Competition | Unbuilt

Context

Bogotá has a long-standing tradition of high-quality social housing projects, rooted in innovative and efficient urban design. The privileged location of this project offers a unique opportunity to redefine contemporary social housing in the city, balancing tight budget constraints with bold structural and communal solutions.

At a time when architectural icons are questioned, this initiative reflects the evolving priorities of Bogotá’s urban identity and collective living.

Addressing Public Space Shortage

In response to the scarcity of public spaces in Puente Aranda , this project aims to contribute to the city by maximizing public space availability. The proposal features a thoughtful arrangement of buildings with minimal footprint at ground level, prioritizing open areas for communal activities and urban life.

Living Collectively

This project redefines social housing by fostering community and adaptability.

Large communal voids, inspired by Bogotá’s traditional patios, create versatile spaces for play, leisure, and urban agriculture, elevating the essence of collective life. The result is a pragmatic and innovative model for modern social housing.

Ground Floor Connectivity

A permeable public ground floor activates the plaza and the adjacent street, fostering a genuine public experience.

Ground Floor Program

The ground floor is activated with commercial, communal, and storage spaces, while parking is kept underground.

Structural Concept

Facades + Partition Walls + Slabs =
Habitable Box Beams

Stacked habitable box beams are arranged in a grid, with each box housing 16 apartments.

Vertical Loads

Ground contact is minimized to just 15 inhabitable columns, optimizing foundation costs on a low-capacity terrain while ensuring structural efficiency.

Flexibility - Multiple Ways of Living

The apartment design allows for a wide variety of configurations and future adaptations.

Vertical Communal Spaces

Each communal area can be programmed over time to adapt to the community's evolving needs and aspirations.

Urban Agriculture Terraces

The project envisions the creation of organic urban gardens on its rooftops, to be maintained and utilized by the community. Organic waste produced in the project's kitchens will be repurposed as compost.