Conference participants at Parque La Mexicana. Photo credit: Alejandro Arditti
The AIA International Conference is always a highlight of our year. In November 2023, we were promised an architectural journey through Mexico City, and the conference did not disappoint. With over 3 days packed with activities, and an unprecedented audience - over 800 registrants representing 32 different countries! - it took AIA International to new heights. The diverse audience added to the richness of the event, fostering a global exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Day 0 was an evening program, starting with Registration and a Museum Tour at the Memory and Tolerance Museum. Architects Arturo and Jorge Arditti, who happened to be our conference organizers as well as the designers of the building, shared valuable insights into the design and construction of the museum, setting the tone for the group to explore the exhibits. The program continued with the Opening Reception and Design Awards ceremony in the dramatic setting of the museum lobby; this featured a conference welcome from Scott Gold, AIA International President, and José Luis Cortes, UIA Immediate Past President, a presentation from the evening’s sponsor, COMEX, to Javier Sordo Madaleno, and the announcement of the 2023 AIA International Design Awards.
The attendees were dispersed across the first-floor museum and the second floor, creating an engaging and dynamic atmosphere.
Day 1 began with a morning tour of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), an iconic modernist project known for its murals. We were fortunate to have tour guides who also happened to be professors at the university.
Following the comprehensive campus tour, participants were privileged to explore the Archive of Mexican Architects, which houses the original copies of architects' drawings, paintings, and models. These archives are open to researchers from abroad; currently, a researcher from the UK is collaborating on a project with the university.
We were then whisked away to Universidad Anáhuac, our home for lectures over the next 3 days. First, there was lunch at the School of Architecture, which featured authentic Mexican dishes.
In a new move for an AIA International Conference, the organisers created our own Expo; event sponsors set up booths in the lobby of the auditorium, creating a lively, colorful environment. Participants took advantage of breaks to talk to sponsor representatives and learn more about their products.
Following the Conference Welcome, we were able to hear lectures from architects from Mexico and further afield, which added depth and diversity to the day's events. Among the speakers on the first day were Luis Vidal, Jim Olson and Tom Kundig, Javier Sordo Madaleno, Arturo and Jorge Arditti and Marcio Kogan, who we also saw presented with the Mario Pani Award, which honors professionals who promote excellence in architectural design.
The day finished with a cocktail reception hosted by Gensler at their new Polanco office.
Víctor Legorreta lecturing to a packed audience at Centro Cultural Mexiquense Anáhuac. Photo credit: mARTketing Mx
Day 2 once again began with a tour, taking us from our base in Polanco to explore key landmarks in the historic city center, including the Catedral Metropolitana and the remains of the Aztec Templo Mayor.
Following the tour, we were back at Centro Cultural Mexiquense Anáhuac for our next afternoon of talks. This time, the speakers included Víctor Legorreta and Enrique Norten. We also heard from a panel put together with our long-time sponsor Dow on working towards a sustainable future, which featured John Sellery of M Moser Associates, a winner of the Sustainable Future Award and Alicia Silva, President of SUMe (Green Building Council Mexico) and was chaired by Dr. Christine Bruckner. This was followed by another panel on US firms’ experiences in Latin America, with Samuel Bermudez of Gensler, Juan Carlos Pineda of HKS, Jorge Mendoza from KPF and Roberto Stark and Pepe Monárrez of Page, all moderated by Steven Miller.
The day culminated in an Informal Gala Dinner of creative small bites at Cocina Abierta in Torre Reforma, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, by LBR&A. After dinner, guests could take advantage of a visit to the top of the tower with architect Benjamín Romano!
The event included the exciting announcement of the creation of 3 AIA international Sections, with certificates from AIA National kindly presented to their representatives: Alex Chuang for AIA Taipei, Yew Kee Cheong for AIA Southeast Asia, and Segene Park for AIA South Korea.
The dinner also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Commitment for a more sustainable industry, with signatories who included AIA International officers and representatives of the international AIA Chapters and Sections. AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice and Past Presidents L. Jane Frederick and Elizabeth Chu Richter also attended, as well as UIA Past Presidents José Luis Cortes and Sara Topelson.
View from Torre Reforma to the BBVA Tower by LegoRogers
Day 3 marked the final day of the official conference schedule. The morning tour covered 21st century architecture in Vasconcelos, Polanco, and Santa Fe, with visits to the Vasconcelos Library, Jumex Museum, Soumaya Museum, and Parque La Mexicana.
The afternoon’s speakers included Sara Topelson, Ismael Leyva, Fernanda Canales, Benjamín Romano, Inés and Francisco Martín del Campo of Arquitectoma and Jacob van Rijs of MVRDV. The conference concluded with remarks from President Scott Gold and a word on upcoming plans from the incoming 2024 President, Yew Kee Cheong. Following this, Florence Chan, AIA Hong Kong Chapter Representative, provided an exciting preview of next year’s 2024 AIA International Conference in Hong Kong.
Final remarks came from Arturo and Jorge Arditti, the dedicated chairs of the Mexico City Conference.
Casa Luis Barragán
Day 4 was an optional extension day. If they wished, participants could book visits to some notable Barragán projects, including Casa Luis Barragán, Casa Jardín Ortega, Casa Gilardi, and Casa Pedregal.
We would once again like to thank the conference organisers Jorge, Arturo and Jessica Arditti and Dalia Zfaz for giving all participants a spectacular experience in Mexico City!
Segene Park, AIA
AIA International Secretary
and
Genie Khmelnitski
AIA International Administrative Director
