Concluding Remarks

The realities of climate change dictate a fundamental shift in how we shape and use the built environment. Historically preserved sites can take on new roles when they are updated for contemporary life.

The Antiguo Palacio Del Ayuntamiento is a fascinating look at how a historic building can become a platform for sustainability. Our interview with Revitaliza Consultores revealed that many elements of the original structure of the building were already sustainably designed. In fact, Revitaliza CEO Alicia Silva argued that ancient building practice can teach us a lot about sustainable architecture. These buildings were able to create comfortable interiors without the support of modern technology, using elements like internal courtyards for natural light and airflow, and high ceilings to assist temperature regulation. With history comes issues as well, however, and the consultants faced a difficult challenge in trying to update water supply without digging into the ground and possibly uncovering more ruins. The resulting approach was a combination of revaluing old techniques (e.g. the central staircase to encourage wellness) and adapting new ones (e.g. a waterproof courtyard canopy to assist rooftop irrigation). 

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When we first considered studying the Antiguo Palacio Del Ayuntamiento, we were drawn to how the building is open to government officials, community members, and foreigners. Upon further research, it became clear that the Palacio was actually most utilized as a political platform and has become the seat from which the Mexico City government announces climate actions. Interviews with building staff and employees as well as Mexico City residents emphasized the building’s cultural importance as a symbol of the complexities and triumphs of Mexican history. The site was significantly more closed off to visitors than we first thought - there was an intensive, multi-member security team at each entrance, including a metal detector, and visitors access was restricted to one courtyard loop and the internal museum. This cloak around the building was emphasized by police, who encircle the plaza whenever there are protests, like the union worker’s protest we witnessed on our first visit.

The Palacio is embedded in the city center - a place for protest, a place for political action, for cultural memory, architectural history, national pride, and now as a place for pioneering the future of a sustainable Mexico City.

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We would like to thank the Pratt Institute's Graduate Student Engagement Fund for sponsoring this project. We would also like to thank everyone who participated at every stage: those who encouraged our ideas, those we interviewed, those who took time out of their day to teach us, and those who inspired us.

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The background pattern is a photograph of the decorative walls tiles on the side staircase. All images on this site were taken by us.