At the heart of the proposal is a raised, covered public plaza that steps away from the speed of traffic and restores a human scale to the pedestrian experience. This civic void, anchored by an urban amphitheater, an art gallery, and an auditorium, turns arrival into a shared moment: entering CAF begins by inhabiting a public room of the city.

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CAF Headquarters

The architectural strategy strengthens this urban intent. A compact upper volume consolidates the private program above, while the ground level prioritizes openness and permeability, maintaining a constant visual and spatial relationship with the plaza. The institution is expressed through a clear gesture of giving space back to the city.

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Sustainability is approached as a system. The design incorporates efficiency criteria aligned with international best practices (including strategies compatible with green building certification pathways) supported by passive decisions (orientation, shading, ventilation), a green roof, and rainwater harvesting for sanitary and irrigation uses. The objective is operational clarity: measurable performance, reduced consumption, and improved comfort.

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Access through the Plaza de la Democracia,
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Programm
  • Auditorium
  • Workspace
  • Offices
  • Cafeteria
  • Lunch Area
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Our role followed an integrated workflow typical of international institutional projects. From early studies and program definition to technical documentation, tender support, and consultant coordination, we ensured continuity between concept and delivery.

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On-site progress - January 2026

During construction, we provided on-site technical support, drawing reviews, and close coordination with the contractor team, culminating in post-occupancy deliverables such as warranties and as-built documentation; supporting a campus built to meet global standards while contributing meaningfully to its urban and community context.

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On-site progress - January 2026

TEAM
Mallol
Design Principal
Ignacio Mallol Tamayo Ignacio Mallol Azcárraga
Design Team
Eric den Eerzamen Pablo Sardiña Andrea Marin Roberto Rubio Mirko Buff Andres Wong Nelly Lachman
Project Architect
Melissa Couto Irene Vaz Tatiana Schefer Steffi Gil José Gil Deleida Álvarez
Interior Design
Carmen Brewer Luis Miguel Puleio María Isabel Pérez Andrea Vega Joaquín Salvador
Landscaping
Diana Ríos Edgar Gracia
BIM Coordination
Keria Estrada Gloria Aguilar Roberto Cabanas Ignacio Rincón Pablo Quijada
Development
Andrés Matías
3D Rendering
Humberto Serrud Carlos Arrocha Jean Alvarado Gabriel Campines
Approvals
Elda Campos Francisco Cheng
Construction Supervision
Alan Diamond
Collaborators
Project Management
Manhattan PM
Advisors
Strcuture
Walter P. Moore
MEP Systems
IDELSA
LEED Consultors
Aqua Terra
Landscaping
M3Project Aqua Terra
Illumination
Artec3
Facade
ACV / ALUMAN
BMS Consultor
CISCO
BMS Automatizations
JG Ingenieros
BIM Consultor
Modelical
Soil Study
INGEOTEC