Museum of Memory and Tolerance

Mexico Museum, 2010
Categories

An Architectural Space for the Peaceful Coexistence Of All People

Through humanity’s history of incomprehensible acts of hatred, brutality, and abuse, nothing reaches the evil of genocide, the deliberate and systematic destruction of ethnic, racial, religious, or national groups. The Museum of Memory and Tolerance in the historic heart of Mexico City aims to educate and inform how these deplorable acts across different periods of history occurred and advocates for the peaceful and respectful future coexistence of all people. The building’s conceptual idea and design draws from the context of these atrocities, while its function and formal expression act as a significant statement to the gravity, loss, and consequences of these tarnished periods of history.
The Museum of Memory and Tolerance integrates the remembrance of seven genocides, provoked by either ethnic, racial, or religious discrimination (Memory) and its unforgiving legacy, with mutual respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence (Tolerance). We truly wish this building didn’t need to exist.

Challenges

Besides the functional elements of the Architectural program, (like an Auditorium, Educational Center, Library, Administrative Space, Cafeteria and Back Office), our main challenge was to set the Museum’s thematic program to respond to a linear transition of topics that were organized to result in a Formal Manifesto. For example, one of the Architectural Spaces was subtracted from within the museography script and was set as a floating Memorial, forming the heart for the building.

Our Inspiration

The approximate two million exterminated innocent souls, the most irrational act of humanity, were our inspiration. For them, we dedicate the Children’s Memorial, isolated above the sun-lit open space and surrounded (like two open arms) by the rest of the Memory and Tolerance Exhibit. This Architectural statement embraces our idea that only through consciousness and education of our children, can we have a real impact on changing our society to foster respectful coexistence among all people.

Design

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Facts & Figures

Client

Fundación Memoria y Tolerancia A.C.

Features

Status

Completion 2010

Location

Historic Center, Mexico City

Area

7,500 m² / 81,000 ft²

Lead Architect

Mauricio Arditti
Arturo Arditti
Jorge Arditti

Program

Architectural Design and Construction Supervision

Contractor

Ideurban

Photography

Arturo Arditti
Paul Czitrom
Jaime Navarro