the trail
Reinventing the Urban Stage: The Circus as Architecture of Hope
University of Los Andes
BArch
Fernando Sanchez R
2021
This project weaves together architecture, art, and sports to explore the traditional and contemporary circus in Colombia. Architecture is presented not merely as form, but as a transformative force, while the circus, through art and sport, becomes a tool for societal change. It begins by framing architecture as a means to identify and address social, cultural, and urban challenges.
The convergence of architecture, art, and sports emerges as a response to deep societal needs.The circus is portrayed as a cultural phenomenon that transcends performance, engaging audiences in search of meaning. The duality between traditional and contemporary forms is explored poetically, shedding light on their struggles, especially limited access to education and housing within nomadic lifestyles.The story then centers on Bogotá’s Sabana Station—an abandoned rail hub isolated by walls.
Transforming it into a public park becomes an act of reconnection, linking circus and history through its 9-hectare site.The architectural vision places the circus at its core: a master plan of residences, workshops, classrooms, health centers, and a museum, all radiating from the park as a vibrant heart. The topography, shaped by walls and tracks, becomes a stage for circus life, where tents symbolize enduring magic. Access points reinterpret the station’s walls with architectural poetry, rail ties guide movement, walls breathe permeability, and the design invites visitors into a dynamic, open space. Ultimately, this is more than an architectural proposal. It is an emotional symphony, using the circus as a conductor to revive forgotten spaces, connect communities, and honor Colombia’s cultural legacy through meaningful transformation.
BArch
Fernando Sanchez R
2021
This project weaves together architecture, art, and sports to explore the traditional and contemporary circus in Colombia. Architecture is presented not merely as form, but as a transformative force, while the circus, through art and sport, becomes a tool for societal change. It begins by framing architecture as a means to identify and address social, cultural, and urban challenges.
The convergence of architecture, art, and sports emerges as a response to deep societal needs.The circus is portrayed as a cultural phenomenon that transcends performance, engaging audiences in search of meaning. The duality between traditional and contemporary forms is explored poetically, shedding light on their struggles, especially limited access to education and housing within nomadic lifestyles.The story then centers on Bogotá’s Sabana Station—an abandoned rail hub isolated by walls.
Transforming it into a public park becomes an act of reconnection, linking circus and history through its 9-hectare site.The architectural vision places the circus at its core: a master plan of residences, workshops, classrooms, health centers, and a museum, all radiating from the park as a vibrant heart. The topography, shaped by walls and tracks, becomes a stage for circus life, where tents symbolize enduring magic. Access points reinterpret the station’s walls with architectural poetry, rail ties guide movement, walls breathe permeability, and the design invites visitors into a dynamic, open space. Ultimately, this is more than an architectural proposal. It is an emotional symphony, using the circus as a conductor to revive forgotten spaces, connect communities, and honor Colombia’s cultural legacy through meaningful transformation.