Architecture connects: Architects Marketing Group trip Mexico City and Oaxaca
Between History and Innovation: Learning from Mexico City
Richard recently travelled to Mexico City with the Architects Marketing Group for a series of intensive workshops exploring the intersection of marketing and artificial intelligence within architectural practice.
Hosted in Roma, one of the city's most vibrant districts, the visit offered an opportunity to engage not only with emerging ideas around practice and communication, but with the architectural and cultural fabric of Mexico City itself.
A vast and complex metropolis, the city is shaped by its unique geography: sitting on a former lakebed, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. This layered history is reflected in its architecture, where indigenous, colonial, and contemporary influences coexist.
Social Value and Material Reuse
Alongside the workshops, the group visited a number of local practices. A consistent theme across these studios was a strong commitment to social value, with many architects actively engaged in community-led projects, including social housing and the adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
One notable example was the transformation of a former ice factory into a working studio by Javier Sánchez Arquitectos. The project demonstrated a considered approach to reuse, embedding circular economy principles while responding sensitively to the local climate. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, Mexico City benefits from relatively stable temperatures, allowing buildings to operate with reduced reliance on mechanical cooling: a fabric-first response to environmental performance.
Other projects reflected similarly inventive responses to urban challenges. Proposals such as cable car infrastructure to alleviate congestion highlighted the scale of th e city’s transport pressures, while offering pragmatic and forward-thinking solutions.
Spatial Composition and Creative Environments
The visit also included a number of significant cultural sites, including Casa Wabi's gallery space, the house of Luis Barragán, and the home of Frida Kahlo. These spaces offered distinct interpretations of live-work environments, demonstrating how architecture can support creativity through light, material, and spatial composition.
Across the city, the quality and accessibility of public space stood out. Institutions such as the National Library provided generous, well-used environments that support both civic life and individual reflection, reinforcing the importance of openness and inclusivity in urban design.
Following the time in Mexico City, Richard travelled briefly to Oaxaca on the Pacific coast. In contrast to the capital, the region offered a markedly different built environment and pace of development.
The coastal settlements are defined by low-rise, lightweight structures that respond directly to the climate and landscape. Materials appear immediate and locally sourced, with a visible absence of large-scale infrastructure or dense urban planning.
Although the visit was shorter and less architecture-focused, it reinforced how context, climate, and culture fundamentally shape the built environment.
The trip concluded with a visit to the Anthropology Museum, a landmark building defined by its central column and expansive canopy. The architecture plays a central role in shaping the visitor experience, guiding movement through Mexico's history: from indigenous civilisations to Spanish colonisation and earlier migration patterns.
Oaxaca: Climate, Material, and Context
Richard noted it as an exceptional example of public architecture, where scale, materiality, and spatial sequencing work together to create an environment that is both informative and immersive. The depth of content requires careful navigation, and visiting with a guide is recommended to fully appreciate both its historical and architectural significance.
As the visit came to an end, the city was preparing for the upcoming World Cup, with visible investment in infrastructure and development. Ongoing construction at the airport reflected a city in transition, balancing growth with its rich cultural identity.
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