Francine Houben’s Mecanoo has been selected to design a masterplan in Santiago de Chile for a 30 hectare green neighbourhood at the foot of the Manquehue Hills.

The ambition of client Transoceánica for ‘Lo Recabarren’ is to: ”Create a visionary and innovative model for future developments in South America that responds to the identity of the local urban context as well as the demands of the local market”. A combination of low to medium density residential development, offices and retail will meet high standards for living, working, leisure and sustainability.

The plan is scheduled to be finalized by mid-2014.

Established in 1954, Empresas Transoceánica, is a private equity investment company with a strong commitment to community-building that mostly deals in investments and real estate development. Their 14.000 m2 headquarters in Santiago was the first construction in Chile to obtain the LEED GOLD Certification in 2010.

Mecanoo architecten was selected through an international competition because of its broad portfolio that illustrates a design ethos revolving around people, place and purpose. Creative director, architect Francine Houben: “We believe that architecture can contribute to creating a better world. This masterplan gives us the opportunity to introduce new ideas about sustainability and public space that fit the Chilean context.”