ezequiel farca studio's cultural community center replaces historical school in mexico

Ezequiel Farca Studio revives multi-use building in Mérida

Casa Escuela, located in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, is a multidisciplinary residence designed by Ezequiel Farca Studio. Originally built in 1919 as a private home, it was converted into a co-ed school in 1965. After the school closed in 2011, the building was acquired by new owners who reopened it in 2018 as a community center.

The mission of founder Mónica Calderón is to create a space for learning across cultural and artistic disciplines. Casa Escuela welcomes artists, creatives, teachers, chefs, and wellness experts to inspire and engage with the local community. The four-year restoration project aimed to preserve the historical architecture while incorporating contemporary design elements.

all images by Tamara Uribe unless stated otherwise

Casa Escuela promotes art and supports local artists

Casa Escuela is dedicated to promoting art and supporting local artists. The center seeks to engage new audiences, encourage art collecting, and foster dialogue about contemporary practices and regional influences. The space honors Mexican tradition and embraces the collaborative nature of knowledge, building connections with other cultures.

For the designers at Ezequiel Farca Studio, Casa Escuela serves as a bridge between the past and the future. The century-old architectural beauty has been repurposed to facilitate learning and the exchange of ideas across diverse cultural and artistic domains. Here, the past and present harmonize to inspire the future.

Casa Escuela is a multidisciplinary residence in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico | image by Fernando Marroquín

redesigned by Ezequiel Farca Studio, the building dates back to 1919 | image by Fernando Marroquín

Casa Escuela promotes art and supports local artists

the four-year restoration preserved historical architecture with contemporary design elements

the design bridges the past and future, repurposing the century-old architecture

the past and present harmonize at Casa Escuela to inspire future learning and creativity

Casa Escuela welcomes artists, creatives, teachers, chefs, and wellness experts

Casa Escuela builds connections with other cultures | image by Fernando Marroquín

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image by Fernando Marroquín

image by Tamara Uribe

ground floor plan

project info:

name: Casa Escuela | @casa.escuela
architect: Ezequiel Farca Studio | @ezequielfarcastudio

design team: Ezequiel Farca, Mónica Calderón | @monicacald

area: 766 sqm

location: Mérida, Yucatán, México

photography: Tamara Uribe | @tamarauribeph – Fernando Marroquín | @fernandomarroquint

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom