Functionality meets recreation in response to the community's demand for a versatile sports and leisure area at the pier. Unlike its predecessors, Functional Unit II goes beyond traditional platforms, offering a blend of professional sports and family entertainment. Since its inception in July 2017, the Pier has welcomed over 4 million visitors, transforming into a communal haven for various activities and fostering a newfound appreciation for its unique architecture.
The 2-kilometer route of Functional Unit II unfolds in stations, each offering distinct experiences. Pergola-filled squares provide shade and house food stands and public bathrooms, integrating seamlessly with the surroundings. Inspired by the city's Arab heritage, concrete drafts ensure functional maintenance and an optimal aging process, contributing to the overall aesthetic.
A diverse landscape unfolds, featuring a waterpark for kids, a dog park set within a native garden, and a contemplation square with a direct view of the majestic Magdalena River. The route continues with a sprawling sports park, offering football fields, volleyball and basketball courts, a gym, and more—all visually harmonized through meticulous design and material choices.
As day turns to night, the park transforms into a spectacle of lights, framing a central station with rotating headlights—a symbol of Barranquilla's new identity. This project serves as a catalyst for urban regeneration, emphasizing collaboration between the Mayor's Office and landowners to relinquish lands for public use.
Functional Unit II seamlessly integrates into the broader Great Pier project, demonstrating the transformative power of design in constructing a city that prioritizes both functionality and aesthetics, marking a significant step towards Barranquilla's urban revitalization.
Photography by Monica Barreneche.
Project in collaboration with Ricardo Vives Guerra.
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