Why to build SARA(S)²’s facilities at Bella Vista beach?
When the project was first presented to University authorities (Rodrigo Arocena, Gregory Randall, Ricardo Ehrlich and Mario Wschebor) it was perceived extremely convenient to locate the Institute’s facility at Maldonado County, in order to generate and facilitate all possible interactions with the ongoing decentralization process that the University was – and still – carrying out across the country. Early in this process the Mayor of Maldonado County, Oscar De los Santos suggested the possibility to install the Institute in the west of the county, in order to balance de real estate development, strongly focused to the east portion. During several months a team conformed by Jorge Hourcade, Gabriel Aintablian and Néstor Mazzeo visited a huge set of public lands located between Solís and Ocean Park beaches.
The final selection of the plot located at Bella Vista beach was in charge of Marten Scheffer and the above mentioned team. Main arguments considered were the following:
- A site located near Montevideo city (about 80km), Punta del Este Airport (20km) and University’s East Regional Center (CURE – 30km).
- A scenery appealing and environmentally diverse place. From the center of the plot, sea and hills can be seen simultaneously. The plot is also located near a very calm beach (just a few blocks). The northern border of the plot is neighboring fields dedicated to extensive cattle production.
- Bella Vista beach is a peaceful landscape that remained without experiencing major changes in the last decades. Buildings in the surrounding area meet high architectural standards and at the same time is one of the less populated coastal areas in the county.
- Prospective analysis undergone by the Theory and Urbanism Institute of the Architecture Faculty (UdelaR) as well as the fact that the plot is surrounded by rural lands are both coinciding to suggest a quiet environment and good isolation degree in the forthcoming years. It was considered cumbersome to fulfill such requisites in order to develop research and teaching activities at the Institute.
- The place is extremely appealing for walking promenades and/or bicycle riding.
- Last, a very clear sign was find there.
