playAchomo
playAchomo is the culmination of the work by FUNdaMENTAL, a 13 young architects. The team are exposed to all aspects of design, from conceptualization to on-site construction.
Located in the centre of Guatemala City, playAchomo is a space that links the markets of Zona 1 to the cultural centre through an experiential pathway and public plaza.
What makes FUNdaMENTAL unique is the method of working together. With no expectation and no limitations, fresh young minds are able to learn from each other and engage in entrepreneurship as creative individuals. Each built installation reflects the high level of combined education and experimentation of the young interns, each with their own backgrounds and diverse interests and expertise.
This year, the group focused on the Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias, a neglected green area of the city, which contains 8 hectares of park and cultural buildings. The team chose this site as the location for their design-build intervention, called playAchomo, with the goal of making an impact and initiating a first step in a long process of civic and cultural renewal.
At the base of the cultural center the team constructed a new grand entrance and public plaza. A public outdoor space, sheltered by a large colorful canopy, housing new cultural activities and providing a resting place for visitors. An experiential path connects the street to the existing cultural center.