Madeline Brooks
Due to the lack of suitable conditions for trade in the main square of the historic center of Tepoztlán, the need arose to create a project for a new municipal market that, through the relocation of informal commerce, would allow for the release of public space that was occupied irregularly. The implementation of this strategy enabled the recovery of the readability of the urban context and highlighted its historical and natural heritage.
Tepoztlán Market, developed as part of the Urban Improvement Program (PMU) of the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development (SEDATU), is situated on a rectangular plot located at the southeast corner of the Convent of the Nativity of Mary in Tepoztlán. The site has fronts onto three streets and features a marked slope descending from west to east and from south to north. The program consists of a parking level, a supply level, two food levels, and a final observation level, housing a total of 195 stalls distributed across three levels.
With architecture that respects the urban scale of Tepoztlán, the new market not only aims to improve logistics and security but also to offer a better experience for both vendors and visitors. The access level functions as a large plaza that prioritizes the main entrance and features a pedestrian ramp that connects people with reduced mobility from the parking area to this level.
The building is organized through a grid of metal structure made from IPR type profiles with a modulation of 2.50 by 2.50 meters, ensuring that all commercial stalls have these dimensions. The structure is painted in a reddish color to emulate the predominant clay of the region and is combined with other local materials such as exposed brick in walls and wood for the furniture.
As the market serves as a vital meeting point for the community, where fresh products, typical gastronomy, and crafts can be found, this new space represents an opportunity to revitalize the local economy as well as to preserve the customs of this locality.
Project info :
Architects : Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura + Ramírez Suárez Arquitectos Country : Tepoztlán, Mexico
Area : 5754 m²
Year : 2024
Photographs : Ana Paula Álvarez, Miguel Cobos Lead Architect : Carlos Ramírez Suárez
Design Team : Alejandro Mosqueda García, Luis Carlos Orihuela Valle, Isaid Serrano Corona
Project Management : Laboratorio Regional de Arquitectura
Architecture Offices : Ramírez Suárez Arquitectos
Tags: 2024Ana Paula ÁlvarezLaboratorio Regional de Arquitectura + Ramírez Suárez ArquitectosMexicoMiguel CobosTepoztlán Market
Madeline Brooks
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.
