Our initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bogotá, as Alsar-Atelier and the Colombian Society of Architects (SCA) partnered to deliver small-scale emergency infrastructure to vulnerable communities. This collaboration evolved into a long-term commitment to socially driven design in informal neighborhoods, particularly San Luis Barrio, through engagement with local leader Cesar Salomon.

Cesar introduced us to urgent issues around food and water security, especially among children, where obesity and diabetes are prevalent. In response, we co-designed a low-tech fog catcher prototype with Nicaraguan designer Oscar Zamora—an affordable, semi-permanent water solution now in place in San Luis.

Building on this success, we partnered with nonprofit Fondacio to co-develop a low-tech hydroponic greenhouse serving as both an educational space for children and a community agricultural hub. This project was funded by NEACOL and is now fully operational, directly benefiting local families.

Our cross-sector collaboration continues, with two new proposals in development. One is funded by Dutch organization Ammodo, and the other seeks to expand our model of resilient, community-led infrastructure.

These initiatives have grown significantly in both qualitative and quantitative impact within the San Luis community, and we are committed to scaling them year after year. The fog catcher began as a small pilot benefiting one household directly, but also employed and trained four local residents in its construction. Beyond its measurable outcomes, the project empowered participants by amplifying the visibility and agency of underrepresented community members in Bogotá’s informal areas.

With the hydroponic greenhouse, we reached a wider audience—serving over 200 people—while producing the equivalent yield of 200 m² of traditional farmland in less time. The project demonstrated not only agricultural efficiency but also educational value for children and families.

Our third proposal, funded by the Dutch organization Ammodo, is currently in development. It will be installed in a school serving nearly 1,000 students and will focus on agricultural and productive arts education.

While each project varies in scope, together they form a growing community-based network working to address food, water, and education challenges in San Luis through a resilient urban acupuncture approach.

As briefly explained before, the team came together by an initial collaboration with Alejandro Saldarriaga (creative director and founder of Alsar-Atelier) and Felipe Enciso (former financial director of the SCA) designing small scale pandemic response architectures.

Later we started collaborating with community leader Cesar Salomon, which has been central in our inclusion within the San Luis Neighborhood and its members. We have also collaborated with Nicaraguan designer Oscar Zamora.

And lastly, we have previous and ongoing collaborations with the following organizations as funding partners and collaborators:

Neacol (https://neacol.org/)

Ammodo (https://www.ammodo-architecture.org/) 

Altos del Cabo (https://www.fondaciocolombia.org/altosdelcabobyfondacio)

Maya Tejedors de la Tierra ( https://www.instagram.com/mayatejedoresdelatierra/ )

Novo Nordisk  (https://www.novonordisk.com/ )

Hydroponic Garden
Fog Catcher
Alsar Atelier Interview