Studio PAULBAUT Paul Kweton, AIA

CV, CONTACT,


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SafeHaven (Morris Architects)

2013

SafeHaven Laredo

The Mexican drug cartels that occupy all of the major cross border cities between the United States and Mexico have terrorized its citizens for the last eight years in what appears to be an ever escalating drug war that is destroying the generations old tradition of extended families staying in close contact despite occupying both sides of the international border. The twin Texan cities of Laredo-Nuevo Laredo and El Paso-Ciudad Juarez perhaps best typify the single city astride two countries model that has worked well for families for over a century. Laredo is a city with a population of 215,000 citizens whose ancestry is over 94% Hispanic with a rising economy due to its position as the principal trucking and rail crossing of goods between Mexico and the United States. Nuevo Laredo is home to 355,000 middle class citizens whose relative prosperity is owed to services related to shipping and manufacturing. Prior to 911 and the current drug war, citizens of both countries easily crossed the border to shop, dine, and visit with family members. The cartel on cartel violence that plays itself out in the streets and plazas of these border cities has made it physically dangerous to attend public events. Many of the deaths have been innocent victims unlucky enough to be caught in the cross-fire of a gang war. SAFEHAVEN is intended to create a neutral and protected place for bi-national families to assemble and continue on the familiar rituals that bind families together.SAFEHAVEN is a hospitality experience that resides in the in-between spaces of border cities. This model we believe is relative to many locations world-wide but we are focusing on the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo and Nuevo Laredo for demonstration purposes. Standard hotel services are turbo-charged by the addition of facilities to accommodate large banquets, weddings, family re-unions, and quinceaneras. The Mexican quinceanera celebration is traditionally one of the most sacred and sentimental times in a young girl's life. It is the public welcoming party of the girl into adulthood as she celebrates her 15th birthday. Three wedding chapels occupy a roof-top wedding garden to accommodate a range of ceremonies. Six 6,000 square foot sub-dividable ballrooms are provided to house events at multiple scales. The proposed site sits in the Rio Grande Valley on the Mexican side which should allow the easiest and safest access for citizens of both countries. (Text by Douglas Oliver)