Interpretation Center Arsenal, Argentina

Project idea

A memorial interpretation center designed as a spatial journey that reflects the emotional historical narrative of the former military arsenal and clandestine detention center site in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. The concept is called 'The Ascend and Descend Park' where the design does not just show history on walls but lets people walk through it.

Project description

This project is a memorial interpretation center that tells the story of a place where people suffered and disappeared. Located at the former Miguel de Azcuénaga Arsenal, which was used as a military arsenal and clandestine detention center during the 1976-1979 military dictatorship, the design preserves existing historic structures including Galpón 9 which served as the detention and torture facility. The visitor experience journey includes arrival through an orientation pavilion, exploration through individual pavilions each presenting a different layer of interpretation, reflection at the central memory garden, and departure with a deeper understanding of the historical narrative. The site contains preserved military buildings such as barracks, administration blocks, warehouses, workshops, guard posts, and a water tower. Must-protect zones include bar-racks, Galpón 9, and the mass grave site.

Technical information

Total open area: 26,800 sqm. Total covered area: 13,500 sqm. Total: 40,300 sqm. Materials include structural glass, exposed concrete, and weathering steel. Sustainability considerations include passive daylight through angled roof openings, natural ventilation through pavilion spacing, landscape shading for thermal comfort, and rainwater collection integrated in landscape features. The site is mostly flat terrain with strong solar exposure and possible water accumulation during heavy rains. The region has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, summer temperatures reaching 30-38°C, winter temperatures 14-22°C, annual rainfall around 900-1200mm.

Documentation

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