Architect：Mayer Hasbani

Location：Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

Project Year：2019

Category：Libraries

To the southwest of Mexico City is located the Monte Sinaí School, an institution of more than 60 years that has trained guys of all ages in their primary and secondary education. The design of the digital media library and the new cafeteria arose from the identification of an underused space of the school, a remaining area in the basement of the auditorium of approximately 4,000 m2 that was adjacent to the elementary building, the cafeteria and some computer rooms.

The project opens up new circulations and connects the different levels of the school through new stairs, turning the epicenter of the school towards this area. The media library divides the spaces by age groups and uses the height of the ceilings, furniture and graphic design to highlight this distinction.

The project reinforces the new educational conception that proposes to integrate knowledge through experimentation; Several formal and informal interaction spaces were created within the media library so that students can group together and work in teams.

As part of the program, two classrooms with an auditorium format, a radio and video booth, a digital media library with work and collaboration areas, a collection and complementary rooms were designed, the digital classrooms were updated and a new classroom was designed with the Makerspace format , this format is based on an educational laboratory, where it is explored and works with all kinds of tools: 3D printers, carpentry, textiles, robotics and cooking in order to make theoretical knowledge practical. The cafeteria area was also remodeled and expanded.

The classrooms that were arranged in this new wing have full-length blackboards and smart screens, as well as mobile furniture. These new classrooms are related to the corridors and the access plaza with glass walls that allow students who are in another space to observe how learning is taking place within these classrooms and laboratories, becoming a more transcendent event than that of the classroom traditional. Curiosity is opened to other age and interest groups.

The work done in the media library more simulates the university or working life experience, where students have (free) time destined to just be in this space. The furniture and different facilities of the place are what ignite the spark of collaboration and exchange.

All the technical aspects that allow and promote the study in this new space were taken care of: the lighting design and acoustic control make working in these new facilities very comfortable and efficient. Given that the public the school serves is children and youth, color was used boldly; saturating with intensity the transitional spaces or where little time is spent and balancing it more in the spaces of longer stay; resulting in a jovial, professional and cheerful space.

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