Giancarlo Mazzanti

El Bosque de la Esperanza — Altos de Cazucá in Bogotá, Colombia.

Architects do not merely design spaces and buildings, they create environments that can greatly alter and influence the surrounding landscape and its inhabitants.  And that is exactly what architect Giancarlo Mazzanti had in mind when designing ‘El Bosque de la Esperanza.’  Located in the slum settlement of Altos de Cazucá in Bogotá, Colombia, ‘El Bosque de la Esperanza’—which translates to The Forest of Hope—is a public plaza intended to foster community change whilst building unity.  The canopy of the 700 square meter structure is composed of a green hued steel mesh, shaped into dodecahedrons, ultimately resembling a cluster of trees.  Supported by angled steel columns and situated on an incline, El Bosque de la Esperanza stands tall and remains visible at most vantage points.  The structure covers a court that can be used for a multitude of activities:  sports, performances, public meetings, etc.  With financial backing from international super star Shakira and her foundation ‘ Pies Descalzos’ and the NGO Ayuda en Acción, El Bosque de la Esperanza is part of a larger initiative promoting change.  To learn more about Giancarlo Mazzanti, click here.