BUDIC contains mexico sports complex within meandering snake-like building

in mexico, architecture firm BUDIC has completed a sports and leisure facility with a meandering form that references the neighboring nazas river. located between two states and two cities, the project was conceived as a ‘soft border’ with a fluid geometry that emerges from the terrain to form an accessible roof leading to a large terrace. meanwhile, the building itself features a curved façade clad with dark slate.

all images by jaime navarro soto

BUDIC shaped the building’s form to respond to views and climatic conditions, with external areas protected from the region’s hot weather. interior programs are distributed around a double height lobby, which is protected by louvers and carefully positioned trees. the ground floor contains administrative areas as well as a snack bar and pool. upstairs the changing rooms have access to a cantilevered terrace which serves as a relaxation area.

the building’s meandering form references the neighboring nazas river

continuing the building’s sense of movement and fluidity, the structure is clad with slate, chosen to resemble the scales of a snake. these 23 x 32 cm scales are installed as a ventilated façade and act as natural heat insulation. curving towards the east, the northern façade has a large opening marking the main entrance to the building. the south façade has another large arched opening that is protected by louvers.

interior programs are distributed around a double height lobby

the project was developed by grupo altozano, who commissioned BUDIC to design the building. the firm is led by fernando pérez vera, who previously worked at zaha hadid architects (ZHA) on such projects as the ‘napoli afragola’ railway station. incidentally, the architect is currently serving as the local partner on a residential development in mexico, also designed by ZHA.

a swimming pool is found at ground level

the complex contains state-of-the-art fitness facilities

glazing ensures that interior spaces are filled with natural light

the building features a curved façade clad with dark slate

a large cantilevered volume hovers above an outdoor events terrace

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project info:

name: altozano la nueva laguna club house – ‘soft border’
client: grupo altozano
status: completed june 2018
GFA: 6,910 sqm
architecture: BUDIC
direction: fernando pérez vera
project architect: luis ramírez villaseca
design team: brian slocum, octavio cabrera, isaac zamora, marta kopec, edgar benítez, cesar silva, sandra rougon, ariadna lópez, nadia figueroa, natalia cervantes
construction: grupo altozano
structural engineering: trebotti
MEP: PGI engineering
lighting design: artec3
photography: jaime navarro soto