Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos -National School of Theater

TEN Arquitectos
Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos
National School of Theater
Mexico City, Mexico

Photo: Luis Gordoa

The location of the National School of Theater has a unique set of contextual conditions. Two perpendicular highways on the northern and western edges, linked by a circular off-ramp, as well as a metro line, generate continual movements in front of the triangular corner site.

The buildings contain three performance areas and their support facilities, rehearsal rooms, lecture halls, administrative offices, a cafeteria, a gym, scenography studios, costume design labs, and a library.

Photo: Luis Gordoa

The various volumes are unified in a cylindrical shell, clad in curved steel panels, that creates an acoustic barrier from outside traffic and protects the building from the northern winds.

Photo: Luis Gordoa

The spaces are organized as a series of stacked, individual volumes, unified by shared circulation and meeting spaces.

Photo: Luis Gordoa

The shell enclosure, supported by bent steel tubes held in tension by steel cables, also allows for covered terraces, performance, and event spaces, blurring the distinction between interior and exterior space.

Photo: Luis Gordoa

Although the spaces are arranged in terms of their accessibility, the articulated forms represent a model of controlled disruptive order.
This contradiction between random appearances and a calculated order creates a paradoxical dynamism among the enclosed forms.

Sketch courtesy TEN Arquitectos

Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos
Site Plan

Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos
Ground Level Plan

Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos
Level 1 Plan

Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos
Top Level Plan

Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos
Transversal Section

Total area: 10,000 square meters
Site area: 3,000 square meters
Completed: 1994

Client: The National Council for the Arts and Culture
Architect: TEN Arquitectos,Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos
Project Team:
Enrique Norten
Bernardo Gomez-Pimienta
Gustavo Espitia
Miguel Angel Gonzalez
Armando Hashimoto
Miguel Angel Junco
Carlos Valdez
Oscar Vargas.

Structural Design: Alonso-Garcia + Miranda, Ings.
Mechanical:Tecnoproyectos.
Acoustical: Jaffe, Scarborough, & Holden
Theater Mechanics: Jules Fisher
General Contractor: D.D.F. (Federal District Department)

TEN Arquitectos arcspace features

December 18, 2006





				Features
		TEN Arquitectos Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos National School of Theater Mexico City, Mexico Photo: Luis Gordoa The location of the National School of Theater has a unique set of contextual conditions. Two perpendicular highways on the northern and western edges, linked by a circular off-ramp, as well as a metro line, generate continual movements in front of the triangular corner site. The buildings contain three performance areas and their support facilities, rehearsal rooms, lecture halls, administrative offices, a cafeteria, a gym, scenography studios, costume design labs, and a library. Photo: Luis Gordoa The various volumes are unified in a cylindrical shell, clad in curved steel panels, that creates an acoustic barrier from outside traffic and protects the building from the northern winds. Photo: Luis Gordoa Photo: Luis Gordoa The spaces are organized as a series of stacked, individual volumes, unified by shared circulation and meeting spaces. Photo: Luis Gordoa Photo: Luis Gordoa The shell enclosure, supported by bent steel tubes held in tension by steel cables, also allows for covered terraces, performance, and event spaces, blurring the distinction between interior and exterior space. Photo: Luis Gordoa Photo: Luis Gordoa Although the spaces are arranged in terms of their accessibility, the articulated forms represent a model of controlled disruptive order. This contradiction between random appearances and a calculated order creates a paradoxical dynamism among the enclosed forms. Sketch courtesy TEN Arquitectos Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos Site Plan Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos Ground Level Plan Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos Level 1 Plan Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos Top Level Plan Drawing courtesy TEN Arquitectos Transversal Section Total area: 10,000 square meters Site area: 3,000 square meters Completed: 1994 Client: The National Council for the Arts and Culture Architect: TEN Arquitectos,Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos Project Team: Enrique Norten Bernardo Gomez-Pimienta Gustavo Espitia Miguel Angel Gonzalez Armando Hashimoto Miguel Angel Junco Carlos Valdez Oscar Vargas. Structural Design: Alonso-Garcia + Miranda, Ings. Mechanical:Tecnoproyectos. Acoustical: Jaffe, Scarborough, & Holden Theater Mechanics: Jules Fisher General Contractor: D.D.F. (Federal District Department) TEN Arquitectos arcspace features December 18, 2006