Foster + Partners unveils Paraguay’s tallest skyscraper design

Architecture studio Foster + Partners has revealed designs for Sudameris Plaza, a 188-meter-tall (617 feet) skyscraper in Asunción that will become Paraguay's tallest building, featuring an elegant concrete frame wrapping around a glazed center, integrated green spaces throughout, and a vibrant public garden at its base.

Sudameris Plaza Architectural Features, no bullet point

The Sudameris Plaza tower features a distinctive angular form with an exposed concrete frame that wraps around a glazed center. At the base, these rectangular concrete frames bend slightly inward, while they expand over the cap of the building, creating a dramatic silhouette on Asunción's skyline. The architectural design emphasizes openness and connection to nature, with a grand double-height lobby set back from the street to create a covered walkway that leads to a vibrant public garden. This ground level incorporates low-rise retail spaces contained in glass-enclosed blocks, cultural buildings including an art gallery and auditorium, and various commercial establishments that activate the site.archdaily+4

The interior workspace design reflects a thoughtful approach to productivity and wellbeing, with open-plan offices occupying 12-meter-deep floorplates on the building's north side. Each office floor spans approximately 1,200 square meters, with Sudameris Bank occupying the first six floors and the two highest levels, while the remaining floors will be leased as commercial office space. The tower's south side features collaboration zones overlooking the public garden, creating visual connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. This project represents Foster + Partners' growing presence in South America, with the firm's revenue from projects in the region more than doubling in the year ending April 2024.wikiarquitectura+1

188-Meter Green Landmark Tower

The Sudameris Plaza project won its commission through an international design competition, positioning it as a new landmark for Asunción that combines modern architecture with environmental consciousness. Once completed, the 188-meter tower will surpass the current tallest building in Paraguay, the 142-meter Icono Tower. However, its status as the country's tallest may be short-lived, as it faces competition from upcoming developments including the Petra Imperiale, a 250-meter residential skyscraper, and Paseo 55, a 212-meter residential tower.dezeen+4

The building's sustainability focus is evident in its careful preservation of existing trees, which will either remain in place or be relocated to a nearby plaza to enhance the green character of the surrounding environment. Inside, the tower features double- and triple-height volumes for workspaces, with collaboration zones on the south side overlooking the public garden. This integration of nature throughout the structure—from ground-level gardens to elevated sky terraces—reflects Foster + Partners' commitment to creating buildings that promote occupant wellbeing while serving as environmental showcases in urban settings.dezeen

Sudameris Plaza Sky Gardens and Wellbeing Design, no bullet point

The Sudameris Plaza incorporates sky gardens as a central element of its biophilic design strategy, offering more than just aesthetic appeal. These elevated green spaces serve as naturally ventilated areas designed to improve thermal conditions while providing recreational spaces that enhance social interaction among building occupants. The integration of greenery at height follows research showing that sky gardens can significantly improve mental wellbeing by lowering depression, increasing happiness, and creating opportunities for people to counteract the health challenges of urbanization.tonyip+1

Foster + Partners' design thoughtfully addresses user experience considerations that often plague sky gardens in other developments. Unlike some high-rise communal green spaces that suffer from low occupancy due to poor accessibility or inadequate thermal comfort, Sudameris Plaza's sky terraces feature diverse scales and amenities designed to maximize usability. The tower's sky gardens are strategically placed to maintain privacy for adjacent office spaces while still promoting active usage through a balance of intimate rest areas and expansive connected spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles. This approach reflects growing evidence that connecting vertical communities with natural elements can alleviate the negative psychological effects sometimes associated with high-rise environments, particularly in dense urban settings.architecturecompetitions