PARQUE Y TORRE VERGEL

University of Costa Rica, School of Architecture, San José

Project idea

The idea of the project stems from the intention to transform an underutilized lot into a space that integrates architecture, nature, and community. Inspired by the concept of a “vergel” as a fertile place teeming with life, the project combines housing, retail, and an urban park to restore the connection with the surrounding Quebrada de los Negritos and strengthen public space. Through a layout that responds to the site’s conditions and employs sustainable design strategies, the proposal seeks to demonstrate that urban densification can become an opportunity to regenerate the city, improve quality of life, and promote harmonious coexistence between the built environment and the natural landscape.

Project description

Torre y Parque Urbano Vergel is a mixed-use project conceived as a strategy for urban and environmental regeneration. Its name, Vergel, refers to a fertile place teeming with life a concept that inspires an architectural design where nature and the city blend seamlessly. Through the incorporation of an urban park, the restoration of the Quebrada de los Negritos area, and the combination of retail and residential spaces, the proposal transforms an underutilized lot into a space that promotes community, sustainability, and a new relationship between the natural landscape and the urban environment.

Technical information

The proyect employs a reinforced concrete construction system consisting of columns, beams, and post-tensioned slabs, resulting in an efficient structure with longer spans and more flexible interior spaces. The material palette combines concrete, large glass panels, wood, and natural stone to create a contemporary look that blends seamlessly with the surroundings. Chukum-style finishes lend a warm and timeless aesthetic, while living walls and wooden elements act as solar filters, improve environmental comfort, and incorporate nature as an integral part of the architecture. Together, these materials meet criteria for durability, sustainability, and integration with the landscape, reinforcing the concept of the Vergel Tower and Urban Park as a space where the city and nature coexist in harmony.

Documentation

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