Cultural Center in the Sierra Gorda
Born from the need to bring together in one place the various cultural activities taking place in the city of Jalpan, the Melchor Ocampo Cultural Center has become the main cultural and tourist hub of the Sierra Gorda region in Querétaro, Mexico.
Occupying half a city block, directly facing the main plaza, and with a commanding presence, the Sierra Gorda Museum served as the architectural reference for the design of the cultural center, particularly its 16th-century fortress, the oldest building in the state of Querétaro.
The main buildings of the cultural center, the auditorium and the library, were designed to provide a counterbalance to the fortress. They were conceived as two parallel bays with a central circulation axis, responding to the layout of the 16th-century structure. Special care was taken to ensure that the surrounding buildings—workshops, galleries, café, and multipurpose hall—maintain a respectful dialogue with the clearly defined urban context of downtown Jalpan.
Another key concept guiding the project was to envision the cultural center as a miniature city, with its own streets, courtyards, and both open and enclosed, public and private spaces. This urban analogy enriches the users’ experience, offering multiple routes and shortcuts as they move through the complex.
The Melchor Ocampo Cultural Center thus fulfills multiple roles, reinforcing the cultural identity of Jalpan at the regional level and significantly promoting the dissemination of its diverse local artistic scene.
