International Competition for the Masterplan Design of Sierra: A Transformational Project

With the Sierra project, the impact is even greater. We are not just building homes; we are creating a city. Sierra de la Ventana, a picturesque mountain town located in the southwest of Buenos Aires Province, just 550 km from the capital, boasts an unparalleled natural and scenic heritage. This project redefines the lives of those who live in Sierra and those who visit, enriching their experience in a unique natural environment. Our mission is to add value and respect the region’s landscape while fostering its sustainable development.

For the design of the 600-hectare masterplan, we chose to hold a private international competition, inviting some of the most renowned architecture and urban design firms in the world. Among the participants were Gehl from Copenhagen, Sasaki from Boston, KAA from London, Bulla and MGHS from Buenos Aires, and Estudio Región Austral from Córdoba.

The work submitted by three international and three national firms provided a unique fusion of cutting-edge European and local approaches, offering innovative solutions to the urban challenges of Sierra. At Planet Partners, we understand that city-making can be approached in numerous ways, which is why we invited experts to challenge, stress, and present different perspectives and methodologies. These approaches considered both the landscape and the people; the present life in Sierra as well as the future way of living. This collaboration provided a diverse and enriching perspective on how to tackle the challenges of planning the urban growth of a locale with such valuable natural assets.

The jury, composed of internationally and nationally renowned professionals, included architects, academics, and developers such as Lisandro Aloi, Ana Rascosky, Damián Tabakman, César Escandarani, and Alexis Gluzman, who rigorously evaluated the proposals with a critical vision.

Pagus Serra, Destino Futuro, sustainable, connected and attractive was the winning project, presented by Estudio Región Austral from Córdoba. In addition to their deep understanding of life in the Sierra, they were able to demonstrate an intimate knowledge of what it means to live among mountain peaks, standing out for their ability to value the landscape and achieve a harmonious coexistence with the environment.

We would also like to highlight the special mentions awarded to three firms:
•⁠ ⁠Gehl received a mention for its “Vision of Future Project and User Urban Experience.”
•⁠ ⁠MGHS Studio was recognized for its “Integration of Terrain Analysis with Strategic Vision.”
•⁠ ⁠KAA | Kayen Montes & Amy Brar earned a special mention for their “Pioneering Vision in Sustainable Urbanism.”