Diseño de una unidad de vida articulada en el barrio mutis de Bucaramanga

Abstract

Articulated Life Units (UVAs) emerge as an innovative strategy to revitalize underutilized or deteriorated urban spaces, particularly those traditionally intended for technical purposes, such as water storage tanks. These units integrate cultural, recreational, and educational activities, becoming catalysts for social well-being. From an architectural and urban perspective, these infrastructures are often isolated from their surroundings, creating spatial and social discontinuities. Experiences developed in Medellín — particularly the UVA de la Imaginación and the UVA de la Alegría demonstrate how technical facilities can be transformed into multifunctional, accessible, and inclusive spaces that combine sustainability, culture, and civic coexistence. In the case of Bucaramanga, several “dead spaces” remain disconnected from their urban context, representing untapped opportunities. Although the city does not yet have a formally established UVA, the Parque del Agua, promoted by the Metropolitan Aqueduct of Bucaramanga (AMB), serves as a local reference by showcasing the potential of public space to foster community interaction and the sustainable use of natural resources. Within this context, the project proposes the design of an Articulated Life Unit in the Mutis neighborhood of Bucaramanga —not built upon an existing water tank but rather conceived through architectural and environmental strategies focused on the collection, treatment, and reuse of rainwater. This proposal responds to the city’s infrastructural limitations and seeks to adapt the UVA concept to local conditions, promoting sustainability, social inclusion, and the revitalization of the urban environment.