This project engages with local Punta Blanca residents to create urban anchors for community growth. Through comprehensive interviews, local community members voiced a need for communal spaces, such as markets and areas for youth activities. The project’s approach creates anchors for public spaces to grow community amenities.
The project is grounded in the urban strategy of “coastal acupuncture,” which establishes urban anchors around the main street and public beach access. These anchors serve as focal points for community interaction and can vary in size and function based on local desires. This adaptable model can be applied to other coastal and inland communities, offering both temporary and permanent structures as needed.
A catalog of eight urban anchors have been developed in Punta Blanca, including a pier, a water tower, and an island. These structures are primarily constructed using bamboo - a local sustainable and versatile material, allowing for experimentation in scale and form. This project aims to create a vibrant, functional environment that reflects the unique character of Punta Blanca while addressing the community’s social and economic needs.
