Annik Keoseyan 
Arquitecta
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ARTS & CRAFTS STUDIOS 
Client: Ministry of Culture of Mexico 
Typology: Rehabilitation
Chapultepec Nature & Culture Master Plan: Gabriel Orozco
Architecture: Taller Mauricio Rocha
Project Director: Annik Keoseyan
Date: 2019 - 2024

The rehabilitation of the two-barrel vault structures, formerly used to store military supplies, aims to transform these spaces into functional and creative environments suited for academic and cultural activities, both formal and informal. The proposal seeks to foster a collaborative atmosphere that promotes the cultural diversity of the city, while also supporting the economic and social development of the communities involved in these activities.

DESCRIPTION︎︎︎

In this intervention, the barrel vaults are reimagined as dynamic centers housing a Film School, an experimental sound forum, and double-height workrooms. These spaces are designed to provide a unique environment for learning and creation, facilitating the exchange of ideas and artistic experimentation.

The proposal is grounded in the recycling of existing structures, preserving the barrel vaults as iconic elements of the site while introducing a series of brick volumes to define the new interior spaces. These brick blocks not only delineate specific areas and activities but also create a rich variety of spatial experiences by playing with different heights and configurations. The double-height workrooms offer greater flexibility in their use, while mezzanines provide more intimate and contemplative spaces.

The rehabilitation of the barrel vaults represents a synthesis of a thoughtful reinterpretation of the existing structures and the creation of contemporary spaces that address current needs.

By recycling and transforming these structures, the proposal not only revitalizes a previously unused areas but also establishes a new model for cultural and educational intervention—one that celebrates diversity, fosters creativity, and promotes sustainable development.

Taller Mauricio Rocha was commissioned to develop this work and invited Annik Keoseyan to collaborate on directing the project:
_Project Director: Annik Keoseyan
_Project Coordinator: Thelma Seguí & Karina Jiménez
_Construction Site Supervisor: Juan Carlos Montiel
_Team: Abril Villegas, Karina Jiménez, Damián Martínez