Yuting Zhang's Device of Perception: A Cultural Center Like No Other

Exploring the Intersection of Architecture, Culture, and Perception in Mexico City

The Device of Perception is inspired by Aldo Rossi's Project the Small Scientific Theatre from 1978. The project reflects on the relationship between architecture and image, and between object/prop and space/stage. The cultural center is not just an exhibition space for Mexico City, but also a device of perception. This perception is twofold: one is the exterior plaza as the extension of the interior stage, and the other is a spiral path with various scenery frames as the narrative to understand the city.

The cultural center is strategically located between the low rise colonial historic quarter and the high rise commercial development, serving as an intersection node full of complexity in Mexico City. The center is constructed using reinforced concrete, with the board-marked concrete walls treated as a found object. Corten, a weathering steel, is also used in the project, creating a visual link between the past, present, and future.

The center covers an approximate total area of 4500 square meters, housing a main conference/lecture hall, a small theater hall, exhibition space, offices, storage, and a cafe. The sunken entrance plaza of the cultural center creates a tranquil start of the narrative, separating the cultural center from the heavy traffic La Reforma Avenue. Each floor of the short tower is twisted a quarter turn, creating a large spiral public gallery as the extension of the interior exhibition space.

The story of the city is told through the switch-over between the interior gallery and different compositions of historical layers from the breaking points/openings in the cube of the spiral path. Two auditoriums have been embedded in this spiral discourse, with lectures, talks, debates, conferences, and film screenings conducted in front of the urban backdrop.

Yuting Zhang's design was awarded Bronze in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2022. The award is bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, they exhibit strong technical and creative skills and contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.