UNAM Library

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Project Name: UNAM Library
Construction year: 1952
Website: bc.unam.mx
Address: Ciudad Universitaria , MEXICO CITY - Mexico

Architect(s) : Juan O Gorman
Project Category: Cultural | Education

Latitude: 19.3218
Longitude: -99.1848

UNAM Library

Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) encloses the Olympic Stadium, about 40 faculties and institutes, the Cultural Center, an ecological reserve, the Central Library, and a few museums. It was designed by architects Mario Pani and Enrique del Moral. It was built during the 1950s on an ancient solidified lava bed to replace the scattered buildings in downtown Mexico City where classes were given. It was completed in 1954.

Gardens and volcanic rock are a common theme across all buildings with some notable exceptions: the Rectorate Tower and the Central Library. These tall, square-shaped buildings, standing a bit isolated from the rest, are adorned by murals made by famous Mexican muralists David Alfaro Siqueiros (Rectorate Tower) and Juan O'Gorman (Central Library).

This last mural, recognized as the largest mural in the world, covering all sides of the Library, based on Aztec and Spanish motifs and UNAM's coat of arms, makes the Central Library Ciudad Universitaria's most iconic building.

Contributed by ArchiTeam