Architectural Elevation by CCA Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica
In the quest to breathe new life into the public realm of Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, an urban master plan was meticulously crafted by SEDATU. The initiative aimed at the renovation of three pivotal public spaces within the city: the High-Performance Sports Center, the Community Development Center (CDC), and the Recreational Park “El Campestre.”
Cultural and Educational Nexus: Community Development Center (CDC)
At the heart of this urban renewal initiative stands the Community Development Center (CDC), a cultural and educational haven designed to provide more inclusive development opportunities for the local community.
Architectural Sculpture: Design Concept
Conceived as a habitable sculptural piece, the CDC boasts a versatile architectural program encompassing workshops, multi-purpose rooms, a library, an auditorium, and an administrative area. The structural marvel is realized through eight monumental concrete panels adorned with semicircular arches, creating a distinctive and cohesive design.
Green Oasis: Integrating Nature and Architecture
The concrete panels, punctuated with semicircular arches, ingeniously incorporate voids to birth an interior garden, transforming the CDC into an urban oasis. This central garden serves as the nucleus of the structure, fostering a vibrant space that offers captivating views from within the building.
Local Identity: A Palette of Warmth
To imbue a local touch, the architects opted for orange-toned concrete, paying homage to the regional quarry’s color present in the balustrade of the main arcade in the historic center of Jalpa de Méndez. Beyond aesthetics, this choice serves the practical purpose of reflecting warmth and resisting humidity, harmonizing with the region’s climate.
Contemporary Nod to Tradition: Semblance of Semicircles
The semicircular arches, symbolic of Mexican architectural history, undergo a contemporary reinterpretation in the CDC. Beyond their aesthetic contribution, these arches enhance air circulation and usher natural light into the building, adding a functional dimension to their design.
Crafting Constructive Memories: Community Involvement
The construction process transcended traditional boundaries, fostering a genuine exchange of knowledge with the local community. Merging modern design technologies with age-old artisanal processes, the project sought to embed a new language into the constructive memory of the Tabasco landscape.
Culmination of Community Collaboration: Identity and Pride
Local workers actively participated, intertwining diverse construction knowledge and fortifying the connection of the CDC with the Tabasco landscape. This participatory process not only birthed a unique constructive language but instilled a profound sense of accomplishment, pride, and identity within the local community.
Cultural Catalyst: Project Impact
In essence, the Community Development Center “La Guadalupe” emerges as a beacon of social and cultural development in the community of Jalpa de Méndez. As an integral component of SEDATU’s Urban Improvement program, this architectural gem stands testament to the transformative power of community-centric design.
