In 2018 the young Mexican office Francisco Pardo Arquitecto — founded in 2016 — delivered the two urban parks Parque Colinas del Sol and Parque Los Héroes, in Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico state. Commissioned by two public institutions, these projects are part of a larger programme aimed at rethinking the public space, in favor of abandoned social housing dwellers.

Created in only six months, in full alignment with tight budgetary requirements and the need for low ongoing maintenance, the two parks feature simple design solutions and affordable/low-cost materials such as concrete, steel and cement blocks. The parks have been built with the support of the local community.

Parque Colinas del Sol

For this renovation, the site has been divided into different thematic areas: from the playground to the meditation spot, the skate ramp and football court, to the pavilion for public events, enabling artistic and architectural interventions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parque Colinas del Sol
Client: INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores), CIDS (Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sostenible)
Architect: Francisco Pardo Arquitecto
Design team: Francisco Pardo, Daniel Vázquez, Ivan Saucedo, Julián Ramírez, Karen Burkart, Sofía Alami, Wilfrido Estrada
Programme: urban parks in a public space
Surface: 18 200 sq.metres
Completion: 2018

Parque Los héroes

The renovation of Parque Los Héroes consisted in working with the existing pavement. Today, the park includes children’s playgrounds, a football and a basketball court, and a skating ring — designed in relation to the adjacent housing units and primary school. The various concrete walls and metal bars can be arranged in multiple configurations, thereby constituting different spaces that are suitable for all uses and users.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parque Los Héroes
Client: INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores), CIDS (Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sostenible)
Architect: Francisco Pardo Arquitecto
Design team: Francisco Pardo, Daniel Vázquez, Ivan Saucedo, Julián Ramírez, Karen Burkart, Sofía Alami, Wilfrido Estrada
Programme: urban parks in a public space
Surface: 12 200 sq.metres
Completion:  2018

To find out more about Francisco Pardo Arquitecto, please click here.