The 2024 OBEL Award has been awarded to a body of 36 public works by Colectivo C733. 

The projects, located in Mexico, were completed in just 36 months, which is an extraordinary achievement. Initiated as part of a nationwide effort by SEDATU (Mexico’s Secretariat for Agrarian, Land and Urban Development), the 36×36 projects revitalised vulnerable urban and rural areas across Mexico through a collaborative and community-focussed approach. 

Project 03 Guadalupe Market: A commercial space that takes advantage of existing trees and connects a neighbourhood through a main promenade defined by light and vegetation. The lightweight roof, made of bamboo from local communities, manages wind, light, and water for the benefit of its inhabitants. Tapachula, Chiapas (2020)

Colectivo C733 

Colectivo C733 is composed of the offices of architects Gabriela Carrillo (Taller Gabriela Carrillo), Carlos Facio y José Amozurrutia (TO), Eric Valdez (Labg) and Israel Espin. 

The strength of the collective partly lay in designing together, “with” a constantly fluctuating roster of stakeholders, and utilising shared skills and resources. Thus, they were able to bring together 30 architects and a multidisciplinary team of consultants. 

Project 18 Bacalar Mercateca: A system of four porticoed spaces with concrete columns and three porticoed spaces with a lightweight steel structure separates pedestrians from vehicle traffic and houses commercial spaces, while at its heart, a library surrounded by gardens is housed. The lightweight roof takes on the colour of the seven-colour lagoon to blend into the landscape. Bacalar, Quintana Roo (2021-2022)

They came together as an architectural meta-collective to design and deliver the projects under complex social, political, environmental and financial constraints. It compressed a process that previously could have taken years into just a few months, something practically unheard of by today’s industry standards. 

A collective approach  

Project 31 San Blas Pier: An urban-scale public park inspired by the geometry of natural formations, such as marshes, combines pedestrian walkways, gardens, and bodies of water, forming a transition between the access street and the existing piers. At the end, a 96-metre-long canopy reminiscent of old wooden ships serves as a shaded area by the sea, a sports court, a ferry station, and a covered public plaza. San Blas, Nayarit (2021-2022)

The OBEL Award jury recognised the 36×36 for embodying the theme, “Architectures WITH,” where the focus is on designing with communities, rather than simply for them. This approach underscores the importance of inclusive, community-driven architecture in addressing the urgent and growing vulnerabilities of both people and the planet. 

Project 33 Ayoxuxtla Elementary School: The school consists of six new classrooms, complemented by offices, restrooms, and storage spaces. These areas are arranged around a roofed plaza that serves as a multifunctional space for cultural, educational, and sports events. The structure, made of steel and pine wood, incorporates clay walls for thermal insulation. Additionally, it includes a soccer field and a community dining hall that provides services to both children and the community. Ayoxuxtla, Puebla (2021-2022)

The architecture of Colectivo C733 is inspired by the ideas of Uruguayan engineer, Eladio Dieste, and is marked by modular, flexible and cost-efficient design principles. This allows for numerous combinations and iterations to be contextualised, resulting in a family of works with a distinct architectural kinship.  

“Colectivo C733 exemplifies the power of collective action and collaborative design to rapidly respond to urgent urban needs. Their ability to transform 36 communities through thoughtful, resource-efficient and dignified architectural interventions is a blueprint for future public works projects worldwide.” – OBEL jury comment 

Full thanks and acknowledgement go to OBEL Awards for the information in this article. To see the full list of 36 projects, click here.