The Architecture of Circular Courtyards in Mexico

One of the most important factors when designing is the specific climate of the site. This can be a difficulty when dealing with extreme climates and it is necessary to use insulating materials that adapt to the changing conditions. However, when talking about Mexico and its particular climate this works in the architects' favor allowing them to create microclimates and spaces that blur the transition of what turns out to be indoors and outdoors.

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Patios have become a traditional design element and the psychological effects they produce are important to be taken up again in future designs because they are the meeting place between the interior and the exterior, the common and the private. It is a way to bring the sun and the rain inside the house, to open the chance to other trajectories and coexistence that do not happen entirely in interior spaces. However, in recent years we have experienced a trend in contemporary architecture that seeks to generate circular patios or circular openings, becoming an element that can generate very interesting shadows according to the position of the sun at different times of the day.

Here is a selection of projects in Mexico that use these elements in different scales with their respective planimetry; some of these examples choose to draw a circular plan to make it the center of the project itself and others generate this geometric figure from resources such as openings or roofs that provide a little more freedom when placing the spaces. From ephemeral forums to infrastructure buildings, this selection will inspire you to rethink your next design.

Circular floorplans

Antelia Citizen Forum / República Portatil

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Centro cultural y deportivo Santa Fe II / Laboratorio de Arquitectura Plástica. Image
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Centro cultural y deportivo Santa Fe II / Laboratorio de Arquitectura Plástica. Image

Pyrotechnics Museum / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor

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Museo de la Pirotecnia / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor. Image © Onnis Luque
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Museo de la Pirotecnia / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor. Image © Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor

Santa Fe II Cultural and Sports Center / Laboratorio de Arquitectura Plástica

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Foro ciudadano Antelia / República Portatil. Image © Dès vu
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Foro ciudadano Antelia / República Portatil. Image © República Portátil

Amacueca House / CoA arquitectura + Departamento de Arquitectura

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Casa Amacueca / CoA Arquitectura + Departamento de Arquitectura. Image © Onnis Luque
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Casa Amacueca / CoA Arquitectura + Departamento de Arquitectura. Image

Circular spans

Litibú Bungalow / PALMA

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Bungalow Litibú / PALMA. Image
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Bungalow Litibú / PALMA. Image

UC House / Daniela Bucio Sistos // Taller de Arquitectura y Diseño

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Casa UC / Daniela Bucio Sistos // Taller de Arquitectura y Diseño. Image © Dane Alonso
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Casa UC / Daniela Bucio Sistos // Taller de Arquitectura y Diseño. Image © Taller de Arquitectura y Diseño

Nueva Creación Kindergarten / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor

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Jardín de Niños Nueva Creación / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor. Image © Onnis Luque
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Jardín de Niños Nueva Creación / Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor. Image © Taller de Arquitectura Miguel Montor

Wóolis House / Arkham Projects

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Casa Wóolis / Arkham Projects. Image © Zaickz Moz
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Casa Wóolis / Arkham Projects. Image © Arkham Projects

Community Development Center in Tapachula / Laboratorio de Acupuntura Urbana

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Centro de desarrollo comunitario en Tapachula / Laboratorio de Acupuntura Urbana. Image © Laboratorio de Acupuntura Urbana
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Centro de desarrollo comunitario en Tapachula / Laboratorio de Acupuntura Urbana. Image © Laboratorio de Acupuntura Urbana

Silence House / Alejandro D'Acosta

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Casa silencio / Alejandro D'Acosta. Image © Onnis Luque
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Casa silencio / Alejandro D'Acosta. Image © Alejandro D'Acosta

Barajas House / Nomic

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Casa Barajas / Nomic. Image
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Casa Barajas / Nomic. Image

TM House / CDM Casas de México

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Casa TM / CDM Casas de México. Image
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Casa TM / CDM Casas de México. Image

Beelieve Preeschool of Life / 3Arquitectura

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Preescolar Beelieve / 3Arquitectura. Image
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Preescolar Beelieve / 3Arquitectura. Image

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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 02, 2023.

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About this author
Cite: Arellano, Mónica. "The Architecture of Circular Courtyards in Mexico" [La arquitectura de los patios circulares en México ] 09 Apr 2023. ArchDaily. (Trans. Pérez Bravo, Amelia) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/995780/the-architecture-of-circular-courtyards-in-mexico> ISSN 0719-8884

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