Santería Information Center

New Schönstatt - visitor shop with information kiosk
This is the realization of a visitor shop with gift items and an information kiosk in the campus of the Schönstatt Sisters of Mary (Hermanas de María de Schönstatt) in the city of Florencio Varela in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A free space on a sloping wedge-shaped plot was chosen for the construction, located at the main entrance to the complex. The existing elevation of the terrain along the entrance stairs allowed for the incorporation of a single-story building into the design, while utilizing different height levels. The main shop is located at the street entrance level, and the information kiosk is accessible from the upper platform of the courtyard in front of the church. In working with light, roof skylights were utilized, allowing for contact with the sky even in deeper areas of the layout, which symbolizes something in Catholicism.
The authors of the design aimed to achieve a minimalist blending with the postmodern context of the existing space through the pure materiality of exposed concrete in various textures and expressive forms. To enhance the reference to Argentine brutalist style, they decided to use steel elements and frameless glazing while incorporating local species of vegetation. The simple exterior complements the functional design of the interior. Integrated wooden furniture naturally completes the space without competing with the overall minimalist impression, which serves as a natural basis for the display of religious items and souvenirs.