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
