Diseño del anteproyecto del mercado mayorista de agroproductores de Cañar

Abstract

This graduation project consisted in the development of the architectural blueprint for the design of the Wholesale Market of agricultural producers from Cañar. This project was conceived from a project, previously conducted by the GADIC, and from the necessity of a space that will optimally satisfy the needs of the population. The project was developed and supervised by members of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Cuenca and aims towards a future participation agreement between the Faculty of Architecture and the GADIC. For the development of the project we first undertook a historical and theoretical analysis of the history and culture of Cañar, including definitions of its commercial architecture, sustainability, structure and sizing. These parameters were crucial for the development of the project and allowed us to contextualize it by taking into account the spaces needed, anthropometric data and circulation for its best operation. Following the theoretical analysis, we studied analogous cases, in other words, projects with similar characteristics and located in similar environments to Cañar. This study allowed us to understand and plan the relationship and approach aspects of the design, while covering issues regarding accessibility and urban connectivity, relationship of uses and services, efficient architecture, as well as the structural system, to obtain guidelines for the design of the blueprint. Then, we conducted a macro and micro study of the construction site. We performed different analyses based on materiality, morphological aspects, topography, transport and mobility, landscape, and bioclimatic, which are important to establish the architectural parameters that govern the design according to the surroundings. Once clear guidelines were identified based on the analyses mentioned previously, we developed the architectural blueprint of the Wholesale Market of agricultural producers from Cañar. For the design process of this supply centre, we zoned the areas, according to business lines, and other spaces needed in the commercial building. These elements defined safe meeting places and places of entry and circulation, which are important to establish a correct relationship between the commercial activities and to supply the necessary spaces for the control and storage of the products. The fundamental bases of this project are function, connectivity with the space and immediate surroundings, form, structural system and materiality. However, we adapted solution strategies to all of these parameters to create a user-friendly building, according to universal accessibility design guidelines, but also a place that agrees with the immediate surroundings and offers rest and meeting spaces that connect the exterior with the interior of the project. The fundamental basis for the form and function of this project was the structural system. It governs large spaces without obstacles to the circulation and creates planes on the facades, resolved with the adequate materiality, for an agile and function construction work. Additionally, this provides a formal solution to the needs and requirements, established by the municipality of Cañar, regarding form, function and technology.