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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

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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

Memorial by Eduardo Souto de Moura for the Victims of the Fire in Portugal Is Inaugurated

Pedrógão Grande, a Portuguese municipality located approximately 55 kilometers from Coimbra, inaugurated the Memorial in Homage to the Victims of the 2017 Forest Fires last week. This tragic event resulted in the loss of 66 lives and left 253 injured. The monument was designed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, winner of the 2011 Pritzker Prize.

The work, initiated by Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) two years ago, cost approximately 1.8 million Euros. According to IP, the monument features a framing lake spanning about 2,500 square meters in area. The lake is supplied by a 60-meter-long gargoyle and bordered by a strip of plants, including white water lilies, lilies, and ranunculus. Additionally, the project incorporates a wall with the name of each victim inscribed on it, according to IP.

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