MEXICO CITY’S ARTFULLY DESIGNED OPEN GALLERY

Archivo will offer permanent and temporary exhibition space, educational and communal facilities, social events as well as commercial use. The scheme aims to attract local residents and visitors, reinvigorating the region and its burgeoning arts scene.

Opening up towards the region’s jungle-like greenery, the structure forms a raw exoskeleton consisting of vertical spines and horizontally connecting floor plates. The six-storey design can be navigated through a spiralling circulation route that wraps around the perimeter, linking each level’s various functions. Benefitting from Mexico’s moderate climate, the program space is partially situated under covered external terraces connected via expansive stairways, creating a continuous area that can be configured for a variety of purposes.

“Our design for Archivo represents a new building typology in Mexico City. The vertically stacked open floors full of life and activity connect the building with its surroundings, thereby challenging the trend for enclosed facades and stimulating an upcoming neighbourhood through culture and design,” said Christoph Zeller and Ingrid Moye of Zeller & Moye.

Glazed façades are set back from the slab edge, providing both shade and privacy, with more public functions taking place along the edges of the structure. Internally, the archive will house an exclusive and vast collection of design items, presented in open and accessible galleries. An exhibition about the history and future of Mexico City is found at the top floor, which provides skyline views across the city below.

“We are aiming to create the premier forum for contemporary design in Latin America, giving voice to young designers, creating dialogue and awareness about architecture and design in the region,”explained Fernando Romero, founder of FR-EE & Archivo.

Adjacent to the 3,000 square metre building, multi-functional spaces for workshops, dance classes and socialising will be established, as well as outdoor areas for urban gardening, serving as important destinations for the local community. Archivo is scheduled to open to the public in 2016.