Collective Recovery of Vigil Library

An approach to architectural public dimension

Abstract

This article aims to narrate the experience of the Extension Project "Collective Recovery of the Vigil Library". It was extended over four years and resulted from the joint work among the undergraduate classes of the Architectural Project Studio, the elective class Vulnerable Public Space Studio, and La Vigil Board of Directors.
The origin of the project dates back to 2014 and was intended from the restitution by donation of the surviving assets of the Constancio C. Vigil Library, which had been stolen from its partners during the Military Civic Dictatorship of 1976. The project was developed over three calls: in the first, work was carried out in the headquarters building of Vigil, (2014); in the second, the focus was on the Perkins Passage (La Plaza) and Alem Street (Tablada Cultural Corridor) (2015-2016); and in the third, the project was addressed to the Comprehensive Plan of Physical accessibility and Inclusive Signage of the Headquarters building (2016-2017).
The methodology used to carry it forward was the Architectural Project. Metric and photographic surveys were carried out, as well as design explorations, both in the Gaboto street building and in the public spaces around (theatre, library, kindergarten, high school) located along the street Alem and the Perkins Street.