Centro de Cultura Ambiental

Project Name

Centro de Cultura Ambiental

Project Status

Contest

Year

2020

Location

Chapultepec Park, Mexico City

Typology

Cultural

Project by

BulAu

Constructed Area

2,500 m2

Design Brief

The proposal is rooted in environmentally conscious design, informed by the history, conditions, and values of the Chapultepec Forest, acknowledging its environmental, social, and cultural significance at both metropolitan and international scales. Inspired by the pre-Hispanic worldview, the design draws on the symbolism of the circle (yahualtin), expressed through an architectural volume composed of two 2,000 m² semicircles. These forms emerge from the landscape in a gesture of continuous motion, integrating organically into their surroundings. The building’s entrances are oriented 15°28' eastward, evoking the ceremonial axes of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. The ecological regeneration strategy includes a reforestation program featuring native and soil-replenishing species, aiming to restore eroded areas and revitalize the forest’s ecological integrity. Echoing the sensory gardens of Moctezuma, the design incorporates tactile, aromatic, and colorful plots with plants such as cempoaxúchitl (marigold), sage, and rue, all associated with traditional medicine. Grasses and groundcovers reinterpret ancestral elements while supporting biodiversity, strengthening the connection between nature and culture.

Client

Mexico City's Government

Renders

Carlos Verón

Credits

Héctor de la Peña

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