'Real del Bosque' Cultural Center and Library

Tultitlán, Mexico

Category Cultural | Urban Renewal
Job type Direct Commission
Date 2020 - 2023
Size 912,13 m²
Client Secretaría de Desarrollo Agrario, Territorial y Urbano - SEDATU
Collaborators ORU I Departamento del Distrito I Ricardo García Santander
Status Built
Photos Adriana Hamui - Bé Estudio - SEDATU

Tultitlán: An Industrial Hub with a Community Focus

Tultitlán is a municipality located in the northeastern region of the State of Mexico, bordering the northern edge of Mexico City. Renowned for its industrial character, the area hosts numerous warehouses and industrial facilities that play a vital role in the local economy. Its close proximity to Mexico City and integration into the metropolitan area position Tultitlán as a key urban center, where industrial growth is thoughtfully balanced with cultural and community-driven initiatives.

Building Community Through Public Space

In 2019, the Mexican federal government, through the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), launched the Urban Improvement Program (PMU) to enhance public spaces across the country. The program focuses on building social infrastructure that promotes community interaction, meets local needs, and encourages the use of public spaces. 'Real del Bosque' Cultural Center and Library is one such project, reflecting the program goals of fostering community engagement and accessibility.

Between Urban Industry and Natural Landscape

Situated 2.7 miles southeast of Tultitlan’s historic center, the public cultural center spans 36,500 square feet (3,388 square meters). Built on a 12,000-square-meter site at the foothills of the Sierra de Guadalupe Mountain Range, it serves as both a hub for community activities and an entryway to the mountain state park. From its elevated position, the center provides sweeping views of Tultitlan’s industrial landscape and the México-Querétaro federal highway, a key route connecting central Mexico to the U.S. border.

Restoring the Park to Support the Project’s Vision

The surrounding section of the state park was carefully rehabilitated. Biostabilization strategies were applied, along with revegetation efforts and the restoration of existing pathways, ensuring that the natural environment complements and enhances the project’s purpose.

Extending the Public Realm

The project features two distinct volumes that rest on an elevated platform above the street. This public space seamlessly extends the sidewalk, creating a series of inviting steps and terraces that serve as a gathering point and a welcoming entry to the building.

Bridging Spaces with Pergolas and Pathways

The first volume aligns parallel to the street and sits adjacent to the nearby social housing on the west. The second is rotated 40 degrees to follow the natural slope of the terrain and connect with the park's pathways. These two structures are connected by a continuous exterior pergola, creating a flow between spaces.

Inspired on the industrial landscape of the city, the rooflines are varied and playful, with sawtooth, flat roofs punctuated by pixelated skylights, and barrel-vaulted forms, all contributing to unique interior spaces and natural light conditions for the diverse range of cultural activities hosted here.

Outdoor Amphitheater

At the heart of the building is an amphitheater, positioned at the junction of the two volumes. This central space serves as a communal area, linking the library, gallery, coffee shop, dance studio, and children's art space, fostering creativity and interaction among visitors.

The project leverages the industrial architecture, materials, and construction techniques characteristic of Tultitlan, adapting the spaciousness, flexibility, and durability of local warehouses to accommodate the public programs of the project.