For many years, the Catalan vault has been used in various projects ranging from residential to public programs. This design element stems from a traditional construction technique—likely originating in the Middle Ages—consisting of building a roof with bricks laid flat on their widest face—exposing their length and width—rather than on any of their thicker edges.
During the 19th century, it became so popular that it began to be widely used in factories and industrial warehouses. This technique was adopted for its speed of construction, though it demanded skilled masonry work. Today, architects continue to employ this element, pairing it with contemporary materials, spaces, and uses. With this in mind, we have compiled a selection of projects in Mexico to inspire you to explore traditional techniques and define your own architectural language.
