Skin-deep

Skin-deep


Since the disaster suffered by Mexico in 2017, the PienZa Sostenible project became a collaborative entity for analysis, study, criticism, bonding, and implementation of the current situation lived by the country, by working and focusing its strength to assist in the reconstruction and conservation of the affected heritage, joining the effort through collaboration, management, support, and advice. 


The project includes the study of very important data on each of the 17 Sustainable Development Purposes laid out in the United Nation’s 2013 Agenda, as well as the setting up of panels with experts on the matter, document elaboration, and exhibition development.

Some of the projects which have been carried out and others that continue today include housing reconstruction in Ocuilán de Arteaga (State of Mexico) and in San Mateo del Mar (Oaxaca). The construction of new houses in Xochimilco (State of Mexico), Tlalnepantla and Tlayacapan (Morelos), and Ixcamilpa de Guerrero (Puebla). Also the reconstruction of the Documentation Center for Son Jarocho, in Jáltipan (Veracruz), the study of sustainable development in Tulum and the study of sustainable development for the Mayan Train, all this under the “ReConstruir México” (ReConstructing Mexico) banner.

  • 152 projects
  • 154 families
  • 8 municipalities intervened (and to be intervened)
  • 5 states in the Republic
  • 11 working groups, and
  • 40 architecture firms involved; 37 of them Mexican, four international ones, and one Pritzker Prize, make up the mix for the project. Just to name a few of them: Fernanda Canales, MMX, CCA, PPAA, Dellekamp, TAX, Palma, Taller Paralelo, Taller Mauricio Rocha y Gabriela Carrillo, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, and Rozana Montiel.

Among their purposes they always consider the creation of communal workshops, which up to now have been catalysts for assisted reconstruction and self-management for each area, in addition to providing knowledge and techniques to inhabitants. They also search for identification, valorization, and socialization of communities, complying with current regulations on demolition, waste, and residue management, without forgetting to respect the identity, which promotes self-organization within communities and recovers traditional construction methods and materials.

And to continue with the reconstruction, that is the architects’ purpose along with the ReConstruir México initiative and PienZa Sostenible, who continue to raise funds and inviting anyone who wishes to contribute, for example, by visiting affected constructions and new houses, explaining them the designs, step by step.