Mercado de Pescado, Fish market renovation in Barracas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Mercado de Pescado is a former fish market building in Buenos Aires featuring a large open space with a central covered area surrounded by a two-story perimeter structure. The interior is now organized flexibly with various zones for different uses and gatherings.
The building functioned as the central wholesale fish market from 1934 to 1983 and shaped the economic life of the port neighborhood. After its closure, an architectural competition in 2001 led to its transformation into a design center.
The building now serves as Latin America's largest design center and shapes the neighborhood's cultural life through national and international exhibitions. It draws designers and craftspeople who gather here to display and discuss their work.
The interior benefits from sophisticated natural ventilation and solar control through its roof design, creating comfortable conditions throughout the day. Visitors should explore the multiple levels and galleries, as these feature different functional areas and entry points.
The design center employs the interior as an open social street, a deliberate concept stemming from the building's original market layout. This network of pathways and gathering spaces encourages casual interactions and sustains an active environment.
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