Plaza de la Merced, in the heart of Huelva, has been transformed into a contemporary urban space that combines nature, accessibility, heritage, and design. Designed by Estudio ACTA, the intervention redefines this emblematic site as an open and pedestrian-friendly area, featuring gentle green undulations that evoke the local geography and a scenic layout that uniquely frames the Cathedral-University, revitalizing its role as a hub of urban life.
The redesign incorporates paving solutions and materials of high technical and aesthetic value, responding to the demands of sustainable urban planning and contemporary public experience. Throughout the square, different systems are combined to provide functionality, comfort, and visual coherence, reinforcing the identity of the space.
Acqua Pave is used as a permeable solution within Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate through its porous structure. This feature improves water management, reduces runoff, and enhances urban comfort, reinforcing the connection between infrastructure and nature.
To structure pedestrian pathways, gathering areas, and transitions between zones, pavements such as Terana® Art and Taco Terana® have been incorporated, providing defined geometries and clean lines that visually guide the routes. These elements combine functionality and aesthetics, creating an elegant and versatile spatial language that supports accessibility and visual continuity throughout the site.
In the areas of highest traffic and seating, Llosa Vulcano® provides resistance, durability, and a uniform finish that harmonizes with the surroundings and green areas. Llosa Nano, with its hexagonal geometry, introduces a visual dynamism that enriches the pedestrian spaces, allowing for play with colors and figures without compromising functionality.
All paving incorporates Air Clean® technology, which reduces air pollution through a photocatalytic effect activated by sunlight. This system transforms nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless compounds, creating healthier, self-cleaning, and sustainable surfaces, reinforcing the project’s environmental commitment.
The materials are combined into an integrated system where aesthetics, durability, comfort, and sustainability interact with the landscape, architecture, and history of the site. Today, Plaza de la Merced offers a seamless, accessible, and inclusive urban experience, establishing itself as a high-quality public space and a benchmark of contemporary urban design in Huelva.
| 2025 Architecture Award from the Official College of Architects of Huelva (COAH) in Planning category
