Colombian studio AGENdA Agencia de Arquitectura and Mexican firm Dellekamp/Schleich have completed a replacement for a church in Jojutla that was destroyed in Mexico's 2017 Puebla earthquake.
Jojutla, a town in the state of Morelos in central Mexico, was struck particularly hard by the earthquake on 19 September 2017. In addition to destroying over 2,600 homes, it also severely damaged the Santuario Señor de Tula (Sanctuary of the Lord of Tula), which had stood for over 500 years.
Señor de Tula Sanctuary replaces a church destroyed in 2017
"Four years after the earthquake, the Jojutla master plan is continuing with its strategy of reconstructing the public space to empower citizens through their collective identity and make public space the home for everyone," said the team. The 450-square-metre structure that replaces the church comprises a simple brick-vaulted roof that rests on arched concrete walls on all four sides.
Arched walls form a four-pronged structure
The walls only touch the ground at the corners, leaving large gaps under the arches for air and light to pour in.
"This solution allows the passage of air and the entry of comfortable light for ceremonies, thus avoiding the use of mechanical air conditioning systems and excessive energy consumption in artificial lighting," the team explained.
A central nave is flanked by two traditional aisles of pews
In plan, the church's layout nods to historical Christian designs, with a central nave flanke...