CCA sculpts modern community center with a gardened arcade in mexico

Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica’s Urban Master Plan

In a bid to breathe new life into the community spaces of Jalpa de Méndez, Mexico, an ambitious urban master plan was crafted by the architects at Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA). This transformative initiative encompassed the renovation of three key public areas: the High-Performance Sports Center, the Recreational Park ‘El Campestre,’ and the focal point of our discussion, the Community Development Center (CDC). This cultural and educational hub exemplifies CCA’s commitment to providing more inclusive development opportunities for the local community.

images © Jaime Navarro

a Habitable Sculpture in Jalpa de Méndez

The Community Development Center emerges as a habitable sculptural piece, its program thoughtfully organized by Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) to encompass workshops, multi-purpose rooms, a library, an auditorium, and an administrative area. The structure unfolds with a design that is at once straightforward at once compelling, featuring eight monumental concrete panels punctuated by semicircular arches. The concrete panels, while monumental, serve a dual purpose by incorporating perforations that give rise to an interior garden. With this central garden, the architects create a comfortable microclimate, enhancing the visual experience from within the building while providing a lush space for community activities.

CCA transforms public spaces through an urban master plan, including the Community Development Center

a community center to embrace mexican heritage

An intentional nod to local identity, the architects opted for orange-toned concrete, drawing inspiration from the color of the regional quarry found in the balustrade of Jalpa de Méndez’s historic center. Beyond aesthetics, this choice serves a functional purpose by reflecting the warmth of the region and mitigating humidity accumulation, attuning the design to the local climate. The design represents a modern reinterpretation of Mexico’s architectural heritage, particularly its ancient conventual structures. Semicircular concrete arches, a distinctive feature of these historical structures, take center stage in the contemporary design. Beyond their aesthetic contribution, these arches facilitate air circulation and the influx of natural light, enhancing the building’s interior environment.

the ‘habitable sculpture’ includes workshops, multi-purpose rooms, a library, and an auditorium

In constructing its community center, the team at fosters an authentic exchange of knowledge with the local community. By integrating design technologies with traditional artisanal processes, the architects embedded a new language into the constructive memory of the Tabasco landscape.

monumental concrete panels punctuated with semicircular arches create an urban oasis
the architecture fosters a microclimate and a vibrant central garden for diverse activities

orange-toned concrete reflects the regional quarry’s balustrade in Jalpa de Méndez’s historic center

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floor plans

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project info:

project title: Community Development Center

architecture: Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) | @cca.mx

location: Jalpa De Méndez, Mexico

completion: 2022

photography: © Jaime Navarro

lead architect: Bernardo Quinzaños
project team: Andrés Suárez, André Torres, Miguel Izaguirre, Javier Castillo, Carlos Cruz, Gabriela Horta, Florencio de Diego, Lorenza Hernández, Mara Calderón de la Barca, Norma Mendoza, Jair Rodríguez, Santiago Vélez, Begoña Manzano, Fernanda Ventura, Victor Zúñiga
client: SEDATU, Municipio de Jalpa de Méndez
contractor: TRASGO, José Fernando Orozco González, Gerardo González Gutiérrez, Eber Castellanos Ramos