CABA Launches a Contest to Transform the Look of the Microcenter: Who Can Participate and How to Sign Up

The Government of the City of Buenos Aires has opened registrations for Identidad BA, a national contest to present projects aimed at developing a unified visual identity for the urban landscape of the Buenos Aires Microcenter. The initiative is driven by the City Government through the Ministry of Public Space, organized by the Central Society of Architects (SCA), and sponsored by the Argentine Federation of Architect Entities (FADEA).

Architects and designers from across the country can now register to submit their proposals. Registration will be open until September 10 of this year.

What the Identidad BA Contest Is About

The call invites architects, designers, and interdisciplinary teams to present proposals to redesign various elements of public space, such as benches, trash bins, bike racks, tree pits, flower beds, drinking fountains, newsstands, and food areas, among others. The initiative aims for everyone to share a common aesthetic language and contribute to consolidating a contemporary image of the area.

The launch was led by the Minister of Public Space, Ignacio Baistrocchi; the Minister of Economic Development, Hernán Lombardi; the Undersecretary of Urban Landscape, Juan Vacas; the Undersecretary of Productive Policies, Nahuel Celerier; and the President of the Central Society of Architects (SCA), Álvaro García Resta.

"Buenos Aires has a long tradition of design in public space: from benches and historical lighting to public transport stops and road signs. With this contest, we want to project it forward. We invite architects, designers, and creatives from across the country to think together about how we want the Microcenter to look and feel," stated Minister Ignacio Baistrocchi at the launch.

In this regard, the President of the Central Society of Architects (SCA) added: "If there is a place in the City that defines us Porteños, it is the Microcenter. We hope many people sign up, participate, and that the projects meet the standards of this spectacular City we have," said Álvaro García Resta, President of the Central Society of Architects (SCA).

As explained, the Microcenter has incorporated urban furniture from different eras and characteristics for years, resulting in a heterogeneous landscape without a common identity. In this context, the contest seeks to generate proposals that unify the design of these elements and can adapt to the various uses of public space.

Identidad BA: Who Can Participate and How to Register for the Contest

Interested parties will have 45 days to submit their proposals, which must provide a new visual identity and an urban equipment system designed to accompany the transformation of the Microcenter. The intervention area includes the polygon defined by the avenues Carlos Pellegrini, Santa Fe, Leandro N. Alem, and Belgrano, and includes sectors of the neighborhoods of San Nicolás, Retiro, and Monserrat.

The call is part of the comprehensive renewal plan promoted by the City Government for the Microcenter, aiming to diversify the uses of the area, encourage the settlement of residents, support economic reactivation, and improve the quality of public space.

Projects must include a visual identity and a comprehensive urban furniture system that considers benches, planters, bike racks, tree pits, delimiters, trash bins, pavements, tourist and heritage totems, signage, and newsstands, magazines, and flower stands, among other elements. Additionally, the bases allow for new proposals that expand the program's scope.

The initiatives will be evaluated based on their identity, design, materiality, and integration into the urban environment. The degree of innovation, the use of appropriate materials for public space, and the technical and economic feasibility for their manufacture and implementation will also be taken into account.

Architects, industrial designers, graphic designers, graduates in Landscape Planning and Design, and interdisciplinary teams made up of professionals from areas such as art, sculpture, history, anthropology, programming, and other disciplines can participate. In all cases, at least one member must be an architect and meet the requirements established in the contest bases.

The reception of projects will remain open until September 10 at 5 PM, while the jury's decision will be announced during the last week of that same month.