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Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is located on the eastern plains of Bolivia, on the banks of the Pirai River. Being the most populous city in the country, it reveals an extreme social and cultural complexity surrounded by extensive pampas and plains. Additionally, it represents one of the most developed cities in Bolivia, with a high municipal indicator of sustainable development. Delving into the importance of community architecture, popular appropriation, the character of urbanity, and other concepts, this article explores the history behind the Summit of the Americas Monument through a series of narratives, documentations, drawings, and images captured by Pino Musi.

Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - Image 1 of 4Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - Image 2 of 4Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - Image 3 of 4Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - Image 4 of 4Monument to the Summit of the Americas: The Story Behind Mario Botta's Work in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - More Images+ 8

Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal

Pedrógão Grande, a Portuguese municipality located about 55 kilometers from Coimbra, inaugurated last week the Memorial in Homage to the Victims of the 2017 Forest Fires, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 66 people and left 253 others injured. The monument was designed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2011.

The work cost about 1.8 million Euros and was initiated two years ago by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP). The monument features "a framing lake, with about 2,500 square meters of area, fed by a 60-meter long gargoyle, bordered by a strip of plants consisting of white water lilies, lilies, and ranunculus," according to IP. In addition, the project includes a wall with the name of each victim inscribed on it.

Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal  - Image 1 of 4Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal  - Image 2 of 4Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal  - Image 3 of 4Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal  - Image 4 of 4Eduardo Souto de Moura's Memorial for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal  - More Images+ 10