Architects: BGP Arquitectura
Area: 1,169 m²
Year: 2021
Photography: Jaime Navarro
Project Direction: Bernardo Gómez-Pimienta, Luis Enrique Mendoza
Lifting: Cesar Galvez
Project Preparation: Jonathan Espinoza, Begoña Alarcon
Construction: SEDUVI
City: Ruiz, Nayarit
Country: Mexico
In 2021, BGP Arquitectura embarked on an ambitious project nestled in the mountains of Ruiz, Nayarit, Mexico. The Community Development Center, a sprawling single-level complex spanning 1,169 m², was designed to meet the urgent needs of a highly marginalized community. Offering a variety of services such as education, legal and medical aid, and a community dining room, this center stands as a robust response to daily challenges and emergencies. Its architectural design cleverly addresses the harsh climatic conditions by orienting the buildings to minimize direct sun exposure and using locally sourced materials to support the regional economy.
The architects at BGP Arquitectura envisioned the Community Development Center as a pivotal institution for addressing the essential needs of a deeply underserved area. The facility is designed to provide educational, legal, and medical services. It also functions as a community dining room and a distribution hub for food and supplies during natural disasters. The layout consists of three parallel volumes aligned East-West to lessen direct sunlight on the façades, thereby reducing heat gain. This alignment ensures that the building is accessible to everyone being organized on a single level.
The construction approach throughout the building utilizes handcrafted brick made locally, supporting the area’s economy. The brick serves a structural purpose and acts as the final wall finish that cuts down on construction and long-term maintenance costs. For cohesion and practicality, the concrete reinforcement elements are clad in brick too.
The flooring is made of exposed concrete and is part of the structural foundation slab. Above, the ceilings feature Catalan vaults constructed from brick, topped with a concrete slab to shield the brickwork from deterioration due to weather conditions. This design not only supports daily activities but also prepares the facility to serve as a refuge during community emergencies, contributing to the broader urban development of the town.
In this remote, mountainous region, the center also operates as a critical supply point for necessities like food, water, and medicine. It provides shelter for individuals experiencing violence and supports those in emergencies. Additionally, it houses a clinic for initial medical consultations. The choice of construction processes and materials was intentional, allowing residents to participate as material suppliers or in the actual construction, thereby ensuring that the project’s benefits extend socially and economically to the town.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Centro, Ruiz, Nayarit, Mexico
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
