In the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, nestled in a setting of extraordinary natural wealth, opens Mercado, an architectural project signed by Aidia Studio that attempts to redefine the local market typology. In addition to being a vibrant meeting place for the community of Nicolás Bravo, a small municipality of less than 5,000 inhabitants in the state of Quintana Roo, the architecture attempts to provide a model of sustainable development as an engine of change for local communities.
Born out of a government initiative for urban redevelopment in Mexico’s least developed municipalities, the firm attempted to respond to a concrete local need: to create a bridge between the region’s growing tourism and the economic and social needs of local communities. The market thus becomes a showcase for local handicrafts and agriculture, but also a cultural center where events and workshops aimed at promoting education and social welfare are organized.
The project is distinguished by a site-sensitive architectural approach that favors low-maintenance construction techniques and materials. The structure consists of four key elements: a lightweight steel frame, pigmented concrete floors and parapets, colored concrete blocks, and clay bricks, used for the roof and floor covering. The building is then developed on a modular structural grid of 8x8 meters, covering an area of 7,700 square meters.
The vaulted roof, a distinctive element of the project, is interrupted by two central green courtyards that promote natural ventilation and environmental comfort. The roofing system, inspired by the shape of inverted umbrellas, adopts a structure that not only gives architectural character to the work, but also integrates bioclimatic solutions that reduce energy consumption and enhance the connection between architecture and nature.
