REMAPPING MODERNISM: MAPA PERU AREQUIPA 2023

MAPA PERU, an academic initiative launched in 2023, explores the impact of Modernism and sustainability initiatives in Arequipa, Peru’s second most populous city. Despite Arequipa’s reputation as a historic city, the influence of Modernism is often overlooked and remains largely unrecognised and undervalued, to the extent that it was not considered in the statement of Outstanding Universal Value when the city was designated a World Heritage site in 2000. MAPA PERU therefore aimed to raise awareness of the potential and challenges of Arequipa’s Modern architecture. This involves re-mapping of these places, by evaluating current uses and users, identifying heritage and character-defining values, and assessing the potential for adaptive reuse of two representative Modernist buildings: the Gamesa Galleries, a mixed-use complex with residential and retail uses located in the historic city, and the Nicolás de Piérola residential building, a social housing complex located right outside the city centre. The one-week workshop, held in August 2023 with students of Architecture, Urbanism, and History from four Peruvian universities in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, involved field visits and documentation, diagnosis of building status and uses, and analysis of the adjacent urban fabric, considering form, matter, original function, current uses and users, resilience, sustainability, and capacity for adaptation to future needs and possibilities. The analyses revealed that while both buildings are in good condition and continue to serve their original purpose, they have been affected by densification, changes in land use, and urban growth. As such, proposals were made to address these transformations and potential new layouts and uses, so that these buildings can be adequately valued and maintained, and can continue being assets to Arequipa and its people.