Merida, Yucatan

Cultural, Mixed-use

2022

Located in Merida, Yucatan, the Quinta Montes Molina, built in 1906, is a historic icon on Paseo Montejo, a prominent avenue from the sisal boom era. Initially a social venue, it became a museum in 2006. In 2015, Materia designed a pavilion for cultural and social events, which earned a silver medal at the 2015 Architecture Biennale in Mexico City, marking a shift towards a cultural institution.

In 2016, Materia was commissioned to design a parking lot but identified an opportunity to enhance the property’s legacy. Over six years, Materia developed a Cultural Center, inspired by international museum visits and local context. The center, set behind old trees, integrates with the existing landscape, featuring portals, thresholds, and a central courtyard. Its architectural language, with locally sourced concrete and stone, reflects the original house’s ornamentation.

The interior includes a sunken art gallery, restaurant, bookstore, workshop spaces, offices, catering areas, and an art cinema (2024). The art gallery, with a rooftop terrace, transitions between the gardens and the plaza, preserving the garden’s identity and enhancing natural light management.