The La Carolina area in the historical center of Cuernavaca is unusually rich in lovers of all kinds of leisure activities: there are more than 25 orchestras, where more than 25 musicians, various football teams, many children and teenagers are interested in photography and engraving, and so on. There was only a lack of a community center so that residents could comfortably go about their hobbies, socialize and relax. The study of the interests of the townspeople was carried out by the Ministry of Culture of the State of Morales, whose capital is Cuernavaca, and it also ordered the center.
The 1,763 m2 building was used as a spontaneous parking lot for used buses imported from the United States. Such cars are called "chocolate" in Mexico, and hence the name of the building - Los Chocolates. In keeping with this theme, the architects of Taller Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo chose brick from
tepetate of warm brown color. Another important consideration was that it is an inexpensive and low maintenance material - like unpainted concrete, which is also widely used in the building. In addition, concrete and brick are good in their acoustic properties and heat capacity, making it possible to dispense with air conditioners.
The authors of the project took into account the favorable climate of Cuernavaca and gave the main role to a large courtyard, suitable for sports, including football matches, rehearsals, concerts and performances. The courtyard is shaded by three volumes thrown over it, which allowed the architects to call Los Chocolates a "pergola building". The workshops located there receive optimal lighting for artistic pursuits from the north, and from the south they are protected from the hot sun by monolithic facades.
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zooming 1/5 Los Chocolates Community Center Photo © Jaime Navarro
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zooming 2/5 Los Chocolates Community Center Photo © Jaime Navarro
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zooming 3/5 Los Chocolates Community Center Photo © Jaime Navarro
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zooming 4/5 Los Chocolates Community Center Photo © Jaime Navarro
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zooming 5/5 Los Chocolates Community Center Photo © Rafael Gamo
Administrative and utility rooms are located along the perimeter of the courtyard, its western side is occupied by a library, on the other side of which there is another open space - a spacious garden where children can play. In the evening, its walls can be used as a screen for film screenings. The garden and courtyard are especially important for La Carolina, as public spaces are sorely lacking in its dense development.
