This project is part of the Mazatlan Central Park redevelopment plan, aiming to enrich this socially significant public, natural, and cultural space. The design carefully considers the overall environment and its unique qualities. It offers visitors a comprehensive experience of the marine ecosystem of the Sea of Cortez and its adjacent coastal terrestrial ecosystem.
The building serves as a meeting point where nature—the ocean and land—intersects with architecture and human activity. The thriving natural environment, both surrounding and within the structure, imparts distinctive characteristics and a strong sense of place, creating a unique and immersive experience. Positioned as a key node within the park, the architect designed an orthogonal, rational, functional, and flexible structure that reflects a clear identity and connection to its location. This design integrates spatial organization, structural elements, enclosure systems, installations, and environmental considerations seamlessly.
Functional walls and installations extend irregularly, blending with the landscape and providing structural stability. The project emphasizes expanding the interface between indoor and outdoor spaces, blurring boundaries to encourage greater interaction.
The project also invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature through an extended outdoor public space, which transitions from the surrounding environment to the rooftop and descends towards the central public plaza. This plaza serves as the starting point for the exhibition journey. From here, visitors can explore various ecosystems featured in the exhibits, including the open sea, coast, land, and forest, as well as participate in educational programs housed in auditoriums and public laboratories. The exhibition experience is designed to begin at any ecosystem.
The exhibitions are arranged continuously throughout the space, allowing visitors to explore freely while maintaining a strong connection to the natural environment outside.
The building is organized into three main levels. The ground floor houses administrative and staff areas, school group reception spaces, selected public service zones, most marine conservation and support facilities, and centralized general services. The second floor functions as a general passage plaza, exhibition area, and public services hub. The upper level features a large water tank area dedicated to exhibitions, equipped with changing rooms, restrooms, and maintenance facilities for staff and visitors engaging with the ocean tanks. Additional marine life support facilities and equipment are also located on this floor.
Project Drawings
△ Hand-drawn Design Sketches
△ Project Block Diagram
△ Analysis Chart
△ Model Diagram
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Roof Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Tatiana Bilbao
Area: 13,000 square meters
Project Year: 2023
Lead Architect: Tatiana Bilbao
Associate Architects: Catia Bilbao, Juan Pablo Benlliure, Alba Cortés, Mariano Castillo, Soledad Rodríguez
Project Directors: Udayan Mazumdar, Alba Cortés
Project Manager: Alba Cortés
Design Team: Sofía Betancourt, Simona Solórzano, Gonzalo Mauleón, Mónica Lamela, Pavel Manzano, Steven Beltrán, Vania Aldonza Torres, Christian Belmont, Francisco Lozano, Octavio Herrejón, Pedro Gaxiola, Emma Woodward, Vittoria Di Giunta, Andrea Celso, Daniela Oria, Renata de Miguel, Fernanda Tovar, Patricio Tejedo, Mariana Martins, Elsa Ponce, María Escudero, Miriam Hernández, Kerstin Röck, Helene Schauer, Brice Franquesa, Hyeree Kwak, Morgan Tyson, Ayesha S. Ghosh, Carlos Baeza
Construction Director: Soledad Rodríguez
Construction Manager: José Luis Duran
Construction Team: Vania Aldonza Torres, Christian Belmont, Guillermo Barrera, Cinthya González
Model Manager: Isaac Monterrosa
Model Team: Víctor Castañeda, Ángela Silva, Verónica Nazar, Emerson Carmona, Patricia Morales, María Padrón, Io Plouin, Julio Montesinos, Paulo Rodríguez, Eliana López, Andrés Millán
Collaborators: Liqun, Space House, Ocean Wise, Guillermo Roel
Landscape Design: Landscape Workshop
Structural Engineering: SENER
Safety Consultants: TJP, MAT
Lighting Design: Lightchips Studio
Location: Mazatlán, Mexico
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