ITESM Mexico City Campus

The new campus of the Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey will serve as a model of resilient design in the region. The landscape is designed to not only mitigate flooding but to celebrate water as a part of Mexico City’s geographic and cultural history: the city’s ancient origin on Lake Texcoco and the agricultural chinampas in nearby Xochimilco.

The existing “cenote” at the center of the campus has been redesigned as a lush oasis and central gathering space, as well as a primary component of the improved stormwater management system. Captured rainwater is recirculated through a series of densely vegetated canals that clean the water as it weaves between the new buildings and forested terraces. Moving water creates soothing sounds as it flows through shaded outdoor classrooms and study spaces, down to the cenote. Additionally, the harvested rain water is used as irrigation for the preserved existing trees and new native vegetation.

A series of swales and detention basins along the periphery of the campus replace the existing campus walls to provide a greener, open campus perimeter. The swales and basins are planted with native trees and grasses to provide a more pleasurable experience along the public sidewalk, as well as relieve stress on local infrastructure by capturing street runoff and slowly releasing the water into the city drainage system.

LOCATION

Ciudad de México, México

SIZE

23.5 acres

YEAR COMPLETE

2021

CLIENT

Tecnológico de Monterrey

PROJECT TEAM

Beck Architecture,LLC; Nolte de México (Civil Engineer); ZVA Group (Structural Engineer); GHA y Asociados (MEP Engineer); Mazzetti (Lighting Designer); Hines, Inc. (Irrigation Designer); BioHabitats (Ecologist); Entorno (Landscape Architect of Record)

AWARDS

2024 Texas ASLA Honor Award