"Public space" is a legal terminology that tackles the notion of land ownership, suggesting that this type of parcel does not belong to anyone in particular, but to the state itself. Open, free, accessible to all, and financed by public money, these spaces are not only the results of planning, but the consequences of the public practices they hold. Actually, people define how public space is used and what it means.

Protests - powerful political tools for change - from the March on Washington in 1963, the Arab Spring in the early 2000s to recent Black Lives Matter Movements, are altering the world. In times like these, while people still need to "take their issues to the streets" to be heard and seen, public spaces have resurfaced as a topic of discussion.

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In Latin America, the concept of emergency architecture refers to spaces that serve as temporary shelter in the face of adverse circumstances, such as earthquakes, floods, and migration. Various countries, including Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Panama, have faced events that required redefining emergency housing according to each nation's specific needs.

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As part of the feminist demonstrations that took place last weekend in Mexico, a group of Mexican women architects organized to join the march held on Sunday, March 8, in various parts of the country. The march aimed to 'take back the city' to demand direct state action to reverse the wave of violence and historical bias against women in Mexico, where numbers have reached 10 femicides a day.

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The remodeling project for the Plaza de la Constitución (El Zócalo) in Mexico City was completed in 2018. The design is the result of a competition launched by the Government of Mexico City and the Ministry of Public Works of Mexico City, covering an area of 46,800 square meters.

This article was originally published on September 20, 2019.

“Alios ego vidi ventos; alias prospexi animo procellas”
I have already seen other winds; and I have weathered other storms
Marcus Tullius Cicero

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The history of the former official presidential residence "Los Pinos" dates back to 1935, when President Lázaro Cárdenas decided that Chapultepec Castle was too ostentatious to live in during his six-year term, choosing instead to move to the "Los Pinos" ranch. This set a precedent for subsequent administrations to embrace the idea of residing there and, over time, constructing much larger facilities to better accommodate official functions. 

Videos

For many years, Mexico City has been what many authors call a "living organism," built day by day and choreographed in diverse ways. Santiago Arau's work portrays a city where time passes, shaped by its inhabitants—ranging from sweeping aerial views to the daily gaze of a commuter on public transit. Don't miss this time-lapse, which will allow you to imagine (or remember) what it is like to experience Mexico City in just one minute.

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The Federation of Associations of Architects of the Mexican Republic, A.C., invited all Mexican architects to participate in the XIV National and International Biennial of Mexican Architecture 2018. This event aimed to identify the country's best architectural works, as well as publications, research projects, and theses, while recognizing their authors and disseminating the most relevant works. Through analysis and criticism, the goal was to foster reflection on responsible contemporary architecture and sustainable solutions. A single Gold Medal was awarded in this biennial, and the projects were classified into 23 categories, which featured various Honorable Mentions and Silver Medals. Read on to discover the winners.