CASA FOA 2011
DESIGN AND DECORATION IN BUENOS AIRES
September 9th to October 10th of 2011
Every year since 1985, CASA FOA chooses an emblematic building with the objective of recovering it for the city. They choose a rundown building and they restore it fully to open its doors to the best designers and decorators Argentina has to offer. This fair has been held in abandoned factories, colonial mansions, wharehouses, horse tracks and all kinds of old architecture destined for demolition.
Thanks to CASA FOA this buildings have revived and assured their existence in our beautiful BA.
CASA FOA is an NGO started by Mercedes Malbran de Campos with the objective of raising funds for the “Jorge Malbran Argentine Ophthalmologic Foundation” created in 1964.They are in charge of the awareness program called “Para Verte Mejor Argentina” (to see you better Argentina).
This year for the third time around the south of the city was chosen for the site, in the traditional and up and coming Barracas neighbourhood. (not to be confused with Barracas de Belgrano).This barrio is west of La Boca, between Constitucion Train Station and the Riachuelo, natural border of La
Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires (BA´s official name) and the province of Buenos Aires (capital La Plata, the city of diagonals) the lucky winner this year for their fresh restoration was the old Fish Market of the City, which is currently the Municipal Centre of Design. More than fifty spaces dedicated to design, decor, and architecture and landscaping distributed in this magnificent 7700 square meter industrial market like structure. This initiative’s aim is to create a Design District in this neighbourhood to host the local talent graduated from our open and free State Universities as well as private Institutions and Foreign academies.
The theme is always innovation and protagonist. A space was provided to the winner of the yearly scholarship given to designers and architects from the interior of the province. Unfortunately Argentina is very centralized and everything must go by Buenos Aires, be it planes, trains, roads and yes, talent. We have a saying in Argentina that says:” God is Argentinean but his office is in Buenos Aires”! All trash cans and benches have been the result of the contests “Tira Aqui” (throw here) and “Esperame Sentado” (sit while you wait) so be on the lookout for new and exciting ideas.
Great opportunity to see this part of the City that most people never visit. It reminds me of some parts of Baltimore or Williamsburg in Brooklyn .A mix of red bricks, steal, homes, factories and melancholic industrial polluted urban waterway.
CASA FOA provides a free transfer that leaves every half hour from the Colon Theatre (Cerrito and Tucuman) starting at 11:30am.The last transfer leaves back to the Colon at 9 pm.
More info at: www.casafoa.com
Centro Metropolitano de Diseño (CMD)
Algarrobo 1041, Barracas
Hours are 10 am to 8 pm.
General entrance is fifty pesos (Monday is half price)
More info at: www.casafoa.com
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