On 24th of September 2008, the CAF (Corporacion Andina de Fomento) informed that the International Architecture Competition for its New Headquarters in Caracas was won by the Mexican firm PRODUCTORA in collaboration with also Mexican-based Lucio Muniain.

Among the premises adopted for selecting the winning proposal was that it be a concept with a high standard of quality, responding to the needs of a multilateral agency such as CAF. ‘But above all,’ explained Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia, CAF’s vice-president and deputy CEO and the Corporation’s representative on the jury that evaluated the proposals submitted, ‘it was fundamental that they meet the criteria of sustainability, urban and environmental quality, architectural quality and functional efficiency and that they integrate public areas in favor of the community.’

So, based on those criteria, on September 24, the jury, comprised of internationally renowned architects, selected the winning project. Omar Seijas, vice-president of Venezuela’s Architects Association and a member of the jury, explained that ’since this is about a singular object in one of the city’s most characteristic contexts, the tower dialogs with the obelisk of Caracas’s Plaza Altamira, once again pledging a commitment to the construction of a city and image that was achieved when the square was originally built.’

Forty-four proposals from 12 shareholder countries took part

In the first stage of this competition, CAF invited architectural firms in the Corporation’s 17 partner countries to present their credentials. Subsequently, 52 firms were short-listed and invited to compete. Finally, 44 architectural proposals were received from 12 of CAF’s shareholder countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.’

The following text is automatically translated from the architects’ Spanish website:

‘The jury stressed that its proposal for simple and accurate summary of the criteria of sustainability, and urban environmental quality, architectural quality and operational efficiency.

As a singular milestone in one of the most distinctive contexts of the city, the tower dialogues with the obelisk at the Plaza Altamira in Caracas betting back to the city and construction of an image that was once built at the plaza. The slender tower and acknowledges the rational tradition of modern architecture typically associated with Latin America, adding a freshness and spirit confidence.

The modest footprint of the tower frees the ground and gives the city a public open space, cultural projection as an act of social responsibility.’

For more pictures visit: www.productora-df.com.mx.