[Originally written on 21 Apr 2014, this post has been backdated in order to merge with others in this series.]
In the course of researching the life & work of Estanislao Pirovano, one source mentioned the architect’s plans for an immense National Aquarium. Obtained from a December 1943 issue of the magazine “Pique“, small, fuzzy reproductions hint at what would have been a masterpiece: 120 meters long & 70 meters wide. Location: the Costanera exactly where the old swimming point was located. They mention the project received approval in 1935, but its 130 tanks were never built.
Until recently the following small sketches were the only images of Pirovano’s unbuilt project:
In April 2014, the government organization CeDIAP (Centro de Documentación e Información), made thousands of images available online that could only be consulted previously by appointment. Browsing these photographs & architectural plans, I decided to do a search for “Pirovano” & voilá… over 20 different plans for the never-built aquarium emerged.
Larger versions of all scans can be requested online from CeDIAP. How wonderful to see the project after all these years!! The Aquarium Monumental was indeed monumental, combining Art Deco with Racionalismo on a grand scale. Imagine if this had been built!!
Estanislao Pirovano series: Biography • Neotudor • Neocolonial • Neoprehispanic • Unbuilt • Last word