Oaxaca Gastronomic Center / ROOTSTUDIO

Architects: ROOTSTUDIO
Area: 7,000 m²
Year: 2023
Photography: Lizet Ortiz
City: Oaxaca de Juárez
Country: Mexico

The former convent of Carmen Alto in Oaxaca is reborn as the Gastronomic Center of Oaxaca thanks to ROOTSTUDIO. A transformation that integrates architectural heritage with the culinary traditions of the region, creating a multidisciplinary space dedicated to education and sensory experiences. Emphasizing sustainability, the design incorporates traditional materials and techniques, maintaining the site’s historic fabric while introducing modern functionalities. This fusion of old and new fosters community engagement and enhances cultural appreciation through spaces like classrooms, a library, and various gastronomic venues.

Oaxaca gastronomic center / rootstudio — Oaxaca Gastronomic Center / ROOTSTUDIO 67

ROOTSTUDIO has transformed the viceregal architecture of the former convent of Carmen Alto into the Gastronomic Center of Oaxaca, a space where culinary traditions and sustainability converge to create a sensory experience.

The Gastronomic Center of Oaxaca draws inspiration from the existing conventual architecture, the rich local culinary legacy, and endemic materials, representing one of the largest commissions in Mexico undertaken by this multidisciplinary architectural laboratory.

The project’s primary aim is to provide a versatile environment that promotes community integration while respecting the original structure of the building, dating back to the 16th century. Traditional construction techniques and materials such as lime, brick, wood, and green quarry stone were used to maintain the original materiality and architectural layout.

RootStudio’s approach preserves the materiality and typology of the property, fostering a dialogue between the urban environment and the pre-existing structure to establish a center of studies. This includes a rectorate, classrooms, and a public library, alongside commercial and recreational facilities such as a restaurant, kitchen, cocktail, and tasting rooms, a gallery, a cafeteria, multipurpose rooms, an auditorium, patios, arcades, and commercial premises.

A meticulous restoration was executed, adhering to the guidelines of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), Oaxaca section, to preserve the primary features and historical hierarchy.

The project involves a total area of 5 thousand square meters and 7 thousand square meters of construction. It was executed by a team of over 20 designers and supervisors from the Cultural Heritage Institute of the State of Oaxaca, INPAC, and the Oaxacan Institute for the Construction of Educational Physical Infrastructure, IOCIFED.

Significant discoveries during the restoration included an 18th-century sewer, now a space for ancestral mezcal tastings and culinary experiences, and a diagonal window similar to one in the convent of the same order in San Angel, Mexico City. The arcades of the maneuvering patio were also restored and converted into a space for outdoor events.

The original gardens and patios, formerly overseen by the Order of the Barefoot Carmelites, were restored to their original splendor. A contemporary element made of natural steel was installed to house the industrial kitchens.

RootStudio, led by Joao Boto Caeiro, incorporates integral sustainability into its designs, using products with net zero carbon dioxide emissions and chemical-free solutions, and installing a solar energy system.

Local talents were engaged for the interiors, including the production of custom furniture made from Macuil tree wood. Artistic collaborations feature prominently, with murals that reflect the region’s cultural richness.

The project also prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, with facilities designed for people with disabilities, ensuring interaction with their environment through thoughtfully designed spaces.