“Convincing vision” – Holcim Awards Jury
In preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2014 which will take place in Brazil, the existing soccer stadium Maracaña in Rio de Janeiro will have to provide a new parking structure for at least 5000 cars. Today the surrounding public space lacks quality; it is used for informal purposes and is frequently flooded by storm water.
Last updated: July 10, 2013 São Paulo, Brazil
Furthermore, the existing railway lines divide the area between the stadium, the degraded informal settlement of Mangueira and a large adjacent public park. The convincing vision of this project consists in temporarily placing the requested 5000 parking spaces above the railway lines, creating a central multi-modal transport node linking all public transport (rail, metro and bus) while providing an attractive main station that also serves as a connection platform for pedestrians and cyclists.
The surroundings of the main station including the area in front of the stadium will be transformed into a public park linked to the existing park. The new main station itself hosts pedestrian areas, shops and generous landscaped islands which improve the indoor climate. The wide spans and elegant roof of the main station and parking station incorporate photovoltaic panels that produce energy for the public network and collect rainwater for irrigation.
Following the World Cup, part of the parking above the railway lines will not be used anymore and shall be transformed into housing, office space, and schools.