Children's Museum

On behalf of the region Nuevo Leon in Mexico the association Papalote Verde builds a new museum in Monterrey, in the north of Mexico. The project has been developed in cooperation with the architect Iñaki Echeverria and is situated on the premises of an old foundry. This museum provides a hands-on environment where children gain awareness and a sense of responsibility for our planet earth. The design of the museum pays respect to the old building fabric and integrates existing buildings. Hence, a large part of the venue is underground and hardly visible from outside. A large roof light and an elaborate underground court yard form a central point in the museum spaces and establish the connection to the outside. To a large extend the museum is a classic solid structure, whereas the design of the atrium will be realised with single-curved glass elements, possibly by using high-strength concrete. The exterior columns suggest strong roots and resemble a skeleton. A tower of 30 metres height is the only new building above ground and unveils the museum, to be seen even from a long distance.