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Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

United Kingdom Architecture News - Jul 08, 2015 - 15:54   18893 views

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum facade 

all images © FR-EE

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FR-EE / Fernando Romero EnterprisE has presented plans for the new ‘Museo Mazatlán’ in Mexico, a cultural institution dedicated to the dissemination of local culture with a historical and anthropological perspective. While FR-EE is responsible for the project’s architecture, the museology is headed by Marinela Servitje, director of Sietecolores, an organization specialized in the creation of interactive cultural infrastructure.

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan Museum general view

Located in the port city of Mazatlán, the structure’s shape references the region’s alternative name – the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’. The scheme integrates a geodesic dome in order to bring two contrasting environments together: the ground floor overlooking the upper level and a park that offers views of the city and the sea. The design features a curved body, resembling an oyster with a pearl at its center.

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum areal view

In terms of materiality, the steel structure is clad with a material resistant to weather conditions, with small apertures filtering light inside the museum building. As the scheme is planned for a flood-prone area of land, the structure is set on an elevated base, with part of the façade incorporating photovoltaic panels.

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum night view

Internally, the main exhibition areas are found at the lower level, alongside an IMAX cinema capable of hosting up to 350 people. Above, the first floor houses a temporary multi-thematic room, a restaurant, and access to the terrace. An upper floor is to be used as a documentation center, with classrooms for workshops and employee training. The construction of ‘Museo Mazatlán’ is set to get underway in 2016. 

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum interior

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum concept diagrams

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum ground level

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum floor plan 1

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum ground floor 2

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum ground floor 3

Fernando Romero/FR-EE presents plans for elliptical museum in Mazatlán, Mexico

Mazatlan museum sustainability diagram

Project Facts

Architects: FR-EE Fernando Romero EnterprisE

Project: Museum

Project's name: Museo Mazatlán

Localization: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México

Client: Fideocomiso Unión Mazatlán, Gobierno Estatal y Gobierno Municipal. PROGRAM: Cultural

Site: 240,400 ft2

Construction: 110,233 ft2

Exhibition Area: 27,000 ft2

Status: Ongoing

Date: June 2015

Collaborator: Sietecolores Ideas Interactivas.

FR-EE team: Fernando Romero, Mauricio Ceballos, Alba Díaz, Raymundo Zamora, Brian Slocum, Ignacio Méndez, Claudia Santos, Juan Pablo Huerta, Diego Velázquez, Nadezda Stankovic, Gaia Cella, Gustavo Pérez, Elisabetta Cabras, Robert Mosby, El Mehdi Belyasmine, Ignacio Herrera, Libia Castilla. 

> via fr-ee.org