Mexico's New Breed Of Architects

With a population of 18.5 million people, Mexico City is one of the exploding megalopolises of the 21st century, yet it faces obstacles to its own physical growth: uncertain business cycles; ambiguous zoning; arcane laws; and ever-new social groups. At an instructive point in the story of his city, Mexican architect, academic, and journalist José Castillo has put together Mexico City Dialogues: New Architectural Practices, an exhibit on show through May 7 at New York’s Center for Architecture. Dialogues features 14 projects by a dozen young Mexican architects, rendered through diagrams, photographs, aerial images, and text. We spoke with Castillo about how the challenging realities of Mexico City shape the work of these architects, as well as how this new generation is combining improvisation with traditional building methods.