Centro Nacional Arte Contemporáneo Cerrillos (CNACC): A transformation tool for Santiago de Chile

Authors

  • Laura Gallardo Frías Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
  • María Isabel Toledo Jofré Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
  • Consuelo Figueroa Garavagno Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
  • Javier Andrés Vera Bravo Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
  • Luis René Pérez Huenupi Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Contemporary art centers are considered motor parts of urban transformation, which has been observed in many cities around the world. The objective of this article is to analyze the Centro Nacional de Arte Contemporáneo Cerrillos, -Cerrillos National Center of Contemporary Art-, (CNACC), as the engine of transformation of the city. It is a qualitative and descriptive research that analyzes a unique case of institutional type. For the collection of information, a multi-method strategy is deployed: analysis of historical documentation, urban and architectural planimetric analysis and ethnographic study. As a result, the central aspects of the history of the building and the sector, the relationship between the CNACC and the city are presented, the building is characterized, and the experience of the inhabitants is reported. Then the CNACC's capacity to operate as a transformation engine is established based on five elements: connectivity, readability, accessibility, paths and permanence, and flexibility. It is concluded that the Cerrillos National Center of Contemporary Art has the structural or basic conditions that give it the necessary potential to become an engine of transformation of the city.

Keywords:

Architecture, contemporary art center, urbanism, visitor