The Infonavit Cuauhtémoc Neighborhood Library is the latest project by Proyecto Reacciona A.C. located in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Led by architect Antonio Garza Ferrigno in collaboration with muralist Juan Alcocer Zúñiga, the project spans 135 m² (1,453 sq ft) and was completed on a budget of 120,000 Mexican pesos. Read on to learn more about the project:
Description provided by the project team:
Building on Reacciona's philosophy, we sought the direct participation of the community in the project's conceptualization, development, and execution. In doing so, we not only learned the real needs and preferences of future users, but also fostered a sense of ownership over the renovated space.
Renovation
The renovation of the Infonavit Cuauhtémoc Library is the second intervention under the "Crear Comunidad" (Creating Community) program by the non-profit organization "Proyecto Reacciona." "Crear Comunidad" aims to identify existing, run-down libraries to rehabilitate them through community participation. Through each renovation, we aim to establish a community gathering space for cultural activities, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and improving the local quality of life.
Project Development Methodology
To develop our projects, we use a work methodology (designed by Proyecto Reacciona) aimed at forging a strong bond between users and the project. For each intervention, we seek the community's direct involvement in the project's conceptualization, development, and execution.
The workshops held in the initial phases of the project are vital to the true success of the intervention. These sessions allow us to identify the real needs and preferences of the users, translating this feedback into an inclusive design proposal.
Project Description
The Infonavit Cuauhtémoc Neighborhood Library was renovated using Proyecto Reacciona's methodology, aiming to provide a high-quality public space that fosters positive community activities. The project involved renovating a two-story, 135 m² Infonavit-style house that served as a library for a neighborhood of approximately 2,800 residents.
To carry out the renovation, workshops were conducted with neighbors and students from nearby schools to design an inclusive project tailored to the users' tastes and needs. During these collaborative workshops, three main problems were identified: 1) The library's facade looked just like any other house in the neighborhood, 2) The library was very narrow, and the existing bookshelves obstructed movement inside, and 3) Spaces were poorly utilized.
Since we lacked financial support from the municipality, one of our primary constraints was the budget. Our main challenge was to address all the problems and opportunities identified in the workshops by designing a clean, innovative, and eye-catching space. To resolve the first issue, we designed a facade that stands out from its neighbors in both form and materiality.
In the workshops, we found that local children wanted the library's facade to feature pops of color and offer an interactive experience. Incorporating their feedback, we first painted a mural across all outer walls. Once completed, we wrapped the building in lattice screens (celosías)—a material we noticed local residents frequently used for their own terraces. This lattice envelope also improves security, replacing the metal bars that previously protected the windows.
After installing the screens, several faces were painted with the same yellow used in the mural. The goal was to create a kinetic visual effect on the facade, allowing children to discover the library's colors as they approach. Spotlights placed between the library's wall and the lattice screen cast an engaging play of shadows at night.
On the ground floor, the layout was highly cramped. Bookshelves blocked movement, and the bathroom was centrally located with a window facing inward, trapping odors inside. Upstairs, a partition wall divided two small rooms used as storage. Meanwhile, the first-floor rooftop was an unused space filled with debris.
To address the ground floor's layout issues, we removed the existing metal bookshelves and crafted concrete shelving that doubles as seating for the children. The bathroom was relocated to a corner for direct outdoor ventilation. In its place, we designed a children's reading area that can also be transformed into stepped seating for lectures, screenings, and other community activities.
On the second floor, the wall dividing the two small rooms was demolished to create a single open space. Concrete desks were built along the walls to accommodate four computer stations, leaving the center of the room free for study tables.
To activate the unused rooftop slab, a doorway was opened from the second floor, converting it into an outdoor terrace. This space was designed to host various workshops and outdoor classes.
This article was written by Mónica Arellano. The translation is powered by AI.
