caracas sinfónica
A horizontal void between suspended concert halls and an underground conservatory.
Caracas, Venezuela.
2010 - 2015

/// Simón Bolívar Social Action for Music Complex (CASMSB).

Development phases (2011-2015) ///. Project: adjkm ///. Architecture: Alejandro Méndez, Daniel Otero, Khristian Ceballos, and Mawarí Núñez ///. Project Manager: Javier Mogollón ///. Design team: Mariana Lugo, María Leonor Cordero, Abel Piñate, Fernando Sánchez, Silvia Caradonna, Yoryelina Moreno, Gabriela Salas, and Luisana Villegas ///. Collaborators: Franedward Moreno, María Eugenia Duarte, Fedora Dasilva, Astrid Safina, Odelis Lozada, Charlotte Serna, Johana Arias, Nicole Calderón, Gaëlle Smits, Maria Daniela Ceballo, Lino Cáceres, Josymar Rodríguez , Verónica Hoffmann, and Viviana Rizzo ///. Parametric Design: Tomás Méndez ///. Consultants: Alejandro Dappo, Felipe Montemayor, Juan Cristóbal Montemayor, and Jaime Santos ///. Acoustics: Nagata Acoustics ///. Theater Consultants: dUCKS scéno ///. Structures: Salvador Safina and Andrés Otero ///. HVAC Installations: Orlando Mata ///. Electrical Installations: Carlos Celis ///. Sanitary Installations: Román Chomiak and Gastón Parra ///. Fire Protection Installations: Alejandro Sánchez ///. Security: Tomás Borras y José Rebollo ///. /// Client: Fundación Musical Simón Bolívar (El Sistema) ///. Phase: Project (all design phases) ///. Surface: 67.000 m² ///. 3 symphonic concert halls (1800, 1300, and 500 seats), 76 rehearsal rooms, residences for musicians, cafeterias, covered square, and parking.

Competition phase (2010) ///. Team: Alejandro Méndez, Daniel Otero, Jean Rio, Khristian Ceballos, and Mawarí Núñez ///. Acoustics: Khale Acoustics ///. Theater Consultants: dUCKS scéno ///. Structures: Andrés Otero ///. Collaborators: José Castillo, Gabriel Castro, Nicolás Delevaux, RSI Studio, Yuan Jiang, Gilles Lefevre, Sophie Merle, Panovi Núñez, Jorge Núñez, Javier Otero, Gregoire Plasson, Bertrand Renaudin, and Paulo Rezende.

El Sistema is internationally recognized for its unique model of music education, rooted in social values and aimed at fostering a hopeful future for the children of Venezuela and Latin America. By promoting cultural development, the Simón Bolívar Music Foundation plays a vital role in encouraging both social and professional integration through the arts. The Simón Bolívar Social Action for Music Complex (CASMSB) emerged from a national open competition jointly organized by CAF and the Simón Bolívar Music Foundation. This emblematic project was conceived to serve as a central hub for the Social Action for Music initiative and is located along Boulevard Amador Bendayán, on the northern edge of Los Caobos Park, in the cultural heart of Caracas.

The complex is composed of two primary architectural units: a music conservatory and a set of concert halls. The conservatory houses classrooms along with both large ensemble and individual rehearsal spaces. The volume dedicated to the concert halls contains two large symphonic venues, with seating capacities of 2,000 and 1,300 respectively. A third, more flexible hall with 500 seats serves both chamber music performances and general rehearsals. Complementary facilities include administrative offices, residences for musicians, a restaurant and cafeteria, a multimedia center, and parking areas. A defining feature of the project is the creation of a central urban space that acts as a social connector, both physically and symbolically. This open void horizontally divides the structure into two distinct architectural forms: the music conservatory, a grounded and compact volume, and the concert halls, which form a suspended, slender block above. This fracture in the building opens panoramic views toward Los Caobos Park, integrating the natural landscape into the architectural experience. The resulting space becomes a point of convergence between visitors and users, reinforcing the project's central vision of using architecture as a bridge between culture, community, and education.

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