Archdaily: Turenscape, Sasaki, Snøhetta Shortlisted for Buildner's €350,000 Invitation-Only Architecture Competition to Design New Central Park for Manila
The vibrant heart of the Philippines, Manila, is poised to witness a transformative addition to its urban landscape. The Manila Central Park Challenge, hosted by the international competition organizer Buildner, is an invitation-only architecture competition for an ambitious project set on a 360-hectare reclamation west of SM Mall of Asia, along Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila.
The new park is envisioned to become the catalyst project for Manila's developing Central Business District by mid-2028. This landmark project, intended to mirror the scale and impact of such developments as Marina Bay in Singapore, will feature an 11-kilometer waterfront along Manila Bay destined to redefine urban Manila. This Central Park is envisioned as a 2.2-kilometer-long green, sustainable oasis at the core of the development.
The Competition
The Manila Central Park design competition is currently underway. This competition challenges participating designers to conceive a park that will represent a remarkable and sustainable example of urban development for the Philippines. The park aims to be a visual and cultural beacon for Manila, enhancing connectivity and offering a cohesive urban experience that draws visitors from across the city. The winning project will be unveiled at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore in November 2024, a fitting stage for what is set to be an iconic addition to Manila's skyline.
Key Objectives
- Remarkable and Sustainable Development: The design must reflect sustainability and innovation, making the park a distinguished landmark that aligns with Manila’s environmental and cultural ethos.
- Enhancing Urban Experience: The park should serve as a connective element, enhancing the urban experience for residents and visitors alike.
- Seamless Integration: Integration with the surrounding areas is crucial, ensuring the park enhances connectivity and provides a unified urban experience.
The site is owned by the competition client, SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime), a company founded by Henry Sy, Sr. in 1994, which is a major player in the Philippine property sector. SM Prime is known for its extensive network of malls, its development of residential and commercial properties, and its operation of hotels and convention centers, making it a cornerstone of the country's retail and real estate industries.
The Vision for Manila Central Park
The vision for Manila Central Park is grand, yet determined to be realistic and realizable. It aims to offer a unique urban experience by blending green spaces with retail, promoting pedestrian movement, and providing panoramic views of Manila Bay. This development is set to become a signature landmark.
Sustainability and Innovation
Central to the development of Manila Central Park is the commitment to sustainability and innovation. The shortlisted firms are tasked with creating a park that not only meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility but also serves as a model of modern urban design. This park is envisioned as a space where international visitors and Filipino citizens alike can feel a sense of ownership, a shared public space designed to encourage people to spend time outdoors, enjoy the natural beauty, and participate in community activities.
A Park for All
The Manila Central Park is to be more than just a green space; it is to be a symbol of inclusivity and community. The park will be flanked by retail, commercial, and living developments, creating a vibrant ecosystem where business, leisure, and residential life converge. This integration ensures that the park is accessible and inviting, offering something for everyone and encouraging people to embrace outdoor activities in a beautifully designed environment.
The Shortlisted Firms
After a rigorous selection process following a call for expressions of interest to an invited longlist of design firms, five globally renowned architecture and landscape architecture practices have been shortlisted to participate in a six-week design competition. Each firm brings a unique set of skills and a track record of excellence in urban design and landscape architecture. Each has received funding of 50,000 EUR to develop their competition designs. The winning firm will receive an additional 100,000 EUR and be invited to negotiate a contract with SM Prime to realize the park through construction.
See the shortlisted firms below:
Turenscape
Turenscape stands out for its pioneering work in ecological urbanism and landscape architecture. The firm is renowned for its innovative solutions that harmonize human needs with environmental preservation. Turenscape’s projects often feature bold, transformative designs that address ecological challenges.
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