Architectural practice depends on travelling and exploring new places, observing sites instead of only learning by reading books. Therefore, travelling is a significant learning method for architecture. Especially the places which have cultural diversity, unique visiting sites, and various opportunities for seeking the difference between modern and traditional architecture can support architectural perception. One of the places to visit, which provides these options, is Mexico. It has a rich cultural and biological heritage with varied climate and geography and these factors make the country more demanding to Mexico visit.
Let’s look at the significant places to visit in Mexico!
1. Teotihuacán, Ancient City | Places to Visit in Mexico
Teotihuacán, which is also named ‘The City of the Gods’, is located northeast of modern Mexico City and it was the regions’ major economic as well as religious centre. The city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For this reason, architects should visit the Ancient City to see Mayan ruins in Mexico. The site has a rich history and is worth seeing.
In Teotihuacán, what makes the site popular is its huge pyramids; the Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and the Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
2. Soumaya Museum, Mexico
Soumaya Museum building is made by FR-EE Fernando Romero Enterprise and it hosts lots of visitors with its unique style of the modern building. The architecture of the building has shown its difference from Mexico’s culture and made a boundary towards modernism.
3. Jumex Museum
Jumex Museum by David Chipperfield Architects is located next to Soumaya Museum and it has got modern architectural buildings’ significant aspects. Jumex Museum is also showing architects how the exhibition spaces can be benefited from daylight and making a roof according to these factors.
4. Palacio de Bellas Artes by Adamo Boari
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a prominent cultural place in Mexico. The building has got Art Nouveau and Neoclassical and the interior of the building consists of the elements of Art Deco. For this reason, the building has a joyful aspect for architects to explore the design styles in history and its representation through the building.
5. Mayan Ruins at Palenque, Chiapas | Places to Visit in Mexico
In Mexico, Mayan ruins are one of the significant cultural aspects of the country so that Mayan ruins are in most of the sites located in the country. Palanque, Chiapas is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and it gets so many visitors all around the world in terms of architectural history trips. It has become very popular because it contains the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb, and bas-relief carvings that the Mayans produced.
Palanque, Chiapas is a wonderful place to learn Mexico’s historical heritage and in architectural practice, history means everything to make a synthesis with support by travel.
6. Casa Barragán by Luis Barragán, Mexico
Casa Barragán by Luis Barragán is one of the most famous buildings in Mexico. Pritzker Prize-winner Luis Barragán designed the house with a stark façade and made a contrast in interior space by using different colors. Also, in the interior, the use of flat planes and light; both natural and artificial give the prominent aspect of the building. The building is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende is a romantic city with 16th-century origins in central Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains and it has a very rich architectural history with significant landmarks and places. The International Cervantino Festival takes place in the fall and it has a cultural festival with music, theater, art, folklore, and more.
8. Public Space Facilities: Central Library Ciudad Universitaria
Central Library Ciudad Universitaria by Juan O’Gorman is a historical library with Mexico’s characteristic decorative motifs on the façade and it represents a colorful aspect of the country. The library is an example of modern architecture integrated with sculptural and pictorial elements. It also shows the university’s definite mission to preserve the knowledge of Mexican cultural identity.
9. Film Heritage of Latin America: Cineteca Nacional Siglo XXI
Cineteca Nacional Siglo XXI by Rojkind Arquitectos is a community hub for cinema lovers and a great place to spend some time while travelling to the beautiful spaces in Mexico. It has got interior and exterior connections and reminds architects of the principles of design with respect to spatial spaces.
10. Naïve Folk Artist of Mexico: Frida Kahlo Museum | Places to Visit in Mexico
Frida Kahlo; Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Casa Azul is a wonderful place to see its colorful interior and exterior and understand Frida Kahlo’s unique style through the building.
References
- Dejtiar, F., 2021. 30 Sites Every Architect Should Visit in Mexico City. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/866897/30-sites-every-architect-should-visit-in-mexico-city> [Accessed 27 May 2021].
- U.S. News. 2021. Best Places to visit in Mexico. [online] Available at: <https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-mexico-vacations/> [Accessed 27 May 2021].
- En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Mexico – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico> [Accessed 30 May 2021].
