Economic Culture Fund

Project Status: Completed
Project Year: 2014
Use: Cultural
Client: Federal Government
Area: 2,158 m2
Location: Mexico City
Design: Frida Escobedo
Construction: Taller A

The remodeling project aimed to enhance services, spaces, and the overall experience for bookstore visitors. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Octavio Paz’s birth and the 80th anniversary of the Fondo de Cultura Económica, the project ensured that services remained uninterrupted while also commemorating these significant milestones.

The building’s remodeling underscores the interplay between art and public space, guided by a visionary approach that eschews adherence to any particular architectural style, instead prioritizing exploration and innovation.

A key feature of the project is the transformation of a flexible central space into a double-height area flooded with natural light. Adorned with a pair of public armchairs and floor-to-ceiling gray curtains, this space can be easily reconfigured into one or two forums for book presentations and special events, maintaining its identity as a cultural heart and public gathering spot when not in use for presentations.

Externally, a glass volume showcases the staircase, while internally, views of Tagle Park are afforded. Vertical circulation on the facade connects the pedestrian entrance and both floors of the bookstore, with additional access from the parking lot via a second set of stairs.

The second floor houses bookcases, benches, and armchairs surrounding the central space, mirroring the layout of the first floor. Towards the rear of the second floor, a café with a terrace overlooks the Chimalistac neighborhood, offering visitors a serene setting to enjoy refreshments.