The northern side of the Rectoría tower in the Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, emanates a particular Mexican character. It is a classic example of modern architecture that integrates architecture with sculptural and pictorial elements that denote the university's mission to carry and preserve knowledge, history, and Mexican cultural identity through the ages.
The creation of the UNAM tower's emblem was assigned to Juan O’Gorman, Gustavo Saavedra, and Juan Martínez de Velasco, who later brought in Juan Íñiguez, Rafael Carrasco Puente, and José María Luján as advisors for the project.
In this first installment of Young Minds, a group of eight architects, designers, academics and professionals from award-winning practices and leading universities, will virtually interact with seven teams of five international students each, supported by tutors—currently collaborating with the Mexican design firm Estudio 3.14—and aided by six current interns. The workshop is structured by an open-access webinar, weekly workshops, two jury sessions and an award ceremony.
We know that the world is changing, and this is a moment to reinvent ourselves in the face of an unprecedented situation. The health crisis has compelled us to transform the way we live and interact today. Office work has been reinvented in response to the need for cultural and digital transformation. Consequently, millions of Mexicans are now working from home—an increasingly common practice that has tested our individual resilience, allowing us to adapt to this new way of working while balancing new responsibilities and activities that promote our performance and well-being.
