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housing for the masses: unbuilt bereterbide

Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Boletín del Honorable Concejo Deliberante 1939

Something that caught my eye while I was researching the history of BA housing is the large number of projects that were never built. Lots of factors prevented plans from becoming a reality… lack of funds, disagreement over execution, problems purchasing land, excessive construction costs, or even international conflicts. Take your pick. So when I come across plans of projects that could have been, it’s a bit like discovering a time capsule.

As previously mentioned, Fermín Bereterbide worked closely with the city government on several urbanization projects & won a lot of housing design contests. But that didn’t mean all his designs were built. Bereterbide’s connections, however, meant that at least his plans were published in city bulletins… waiting to be discovered decades later.

“Massive” is the only way to describe the Barrio Jardín de Flores. It would have been located in the neighborhood of Villa Soldati in an area currently used as a public park (Lacarra & Avenida Roca). Fortunately there was a lot of light & air among the jumble of highrises.

Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Villa Soldati, Barrio Jardín de Flores
Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Villa Soldati, Barrio Jardín de Flores

Not quite as large, but equally as impressive, was this multi-building complex destined for Parque Patricios. I couldn’t find an exact location for where this was supposed to be built, but without doubt it would have faced the large Parque de los Patricios. Sleek & refined, a few lucky residents would have had pergolas just like in Barrio Parque Los Andes. The total number of units would have been a whopping 463 with 65% of the area as patio or garden space. Winning a 1925 contest, this is one project that should have been completed.

Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Parque Patricios
Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Parque Patricios
Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Parque Patricios
Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Parque Patricios
Fermín Bereterbide, unbuilt projects, Buenos Aires, Parque Patricios

While neither of these designs will ever be constructed, examining good intentions from the past helps build a more complete picture of how Buenos Aires became the city it is today.

Source: Boletín del Honorable Concejo Deliberante 1939, #6 & 7.

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