Museum of Natural History

Given the stunning backdrop of Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park, we made a conscious effort to blend the Museum into its magnificent surroundings. In contrast to the interior climate and light controlled exhibition spaces, exterior spaces, and activities meld the building into the natural landscape of the park. Within the park grounds and around the museum site, a brand new jogging and biking track not only promotes physical activity but connects the Museum to many of the park’s other cultural and leisure elements, such as the Mexico City Street Fair, and the Water Museum. To make the building a vital part of the path, we needed the structure to form part of the path, allowing park users to experience without becoming interior visitors. Providing a free access ramp for walkers and runners gives them a sneak peek of what’s on show in the lobby and treetop-level views to all of Mexico City’s valley and Historical Monuments and downtown area. We used a TALUD to connect the building and path. This created a receiving area for school children and a natural connection between the path and the rooftop view platform. As a major part of the experience, the rooftop vista gives the site context within the park, and the park within the city.