Premio Félix Candela - Hombre de Maiz Competition
Partners: Juan Lopez and Andrew Boghossian
"Camino a las Nubes" is a return to the Countryside that seeks to recontextualize life beyond the comforts of today's urban spaces. Its goal is to reconnect people with the land they often take for granted. The project is situated in the Valley of Oaxaca, specifically at the base of Atzompa, where a profound connection with the region's landscape, agriculture, and history can be experienced.
The Atzompa ruins serve as a backdrop, showcasing the Zapotecs' admiration for the clouds that played a vital role in the creation of life. These clouds also gave rise to the agricultural and ceramic industries, for which Santa Maria Atzompa is now renowned.
The School represents a transformative journey, guiding individuals from the city to the countryside, encouraging them to reconnect with the inherent richness of nature that has always been right in front of us. By doing so, the project aims to foster a sense of appreciation and understanding of our land and heritage.
The trip connects the city of Santa Maria Atzompa to a journey back in time as it travels over the hill towards the Zapotec ruins. Along this route, travelers encounter fog screens that not only guide their way to the clouds but also capture water and moisture, which are then integrated into the larger irrigation system. Additionally, there is a pottery center along the way where local ceramic production is taught, serving as a pivotal point in the tour.
Terraced farms are situated along the hillside and meander alongside the path leading to the residences of the School.
This new school typology is conceived as an integrated system that incorporates technologies to capture water for agricultural use, along with site-specific cultural components, such as ceramic spaces and corn growth. The School is not meant to be an endpoint but rather the beginning of a journey that reconnects us with the origins of our world.