At the core of Jalpa de Méndez, a city located in the Mexican state of Tabasco with a population of close to 90,000, a series of robust structures are sheltered by a concrete parasol, in an attempt to redefine its public spaces. The Manuel Vargas Izquierdo Stadium and High-Performance Sports Centre are part of a broader vision conceived by the Mexican architecture studio, Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) for the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU) comprehensive master plan. This urban scheme for the city aims to revitalise key public areas, including the sports centre, the Community Development Centre (CDC) and the Recreational Park ‘El Campestre,’ to foster a dynamic urban environment.

Attributing to the goal of CCA’s master plan to enhance the significance of public spaces for the community, Mexican architect and founder of CCA, Bernardo Quinzaños Oria renovated the existing courts and service areas and designed a new building within the facility. The High-Performance Sports Complex features basketball and volleyball courts, practising rooms for karate and judo, a skate park and a children’s play area. Enveloping the building, a sequence of single and double-height covered walkways and pergolas forms the outer skin of the complex. These corridors contribute to safe and inclusive pedestrian transit and connect various spaces to form a cohesive environment for visitors.

In a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, the sports architecture employs orange-toned concrete—a nod to the regional quarry stone seen in the historic city of Jalpa de Méndez. This choice of material not only celebrates local heritage but also complements the city's name, derived from the Nahuatl phrase ‘Shal-pan,’ which means a place over sand. Additionally, it addresses the region’s climatic challenges by effectively reflecting heat and minimising moisture accumulation on the structure.

The heat is further mitigated through a large-span steel truss structure, supported by exposed concrete frames, which provide extensive shade and a versatile environment for various activities. This linear colonnade extends up to eight metres in height with columns measuring one metre by 25 centimetres, while the roof stretches across a span of up to 48 metres.

To emphasise Mexico’s rich baseball heritage, a robust network of tubular tensioners holds ten exposed parasols to constitute the monolith concrete architecture of the Baseball Stadium Manuel Vargas Izquierdo. The design team crafted the L-shaped canopies to provide shade for the stadium stands, combating the region's high temperatures, while the adjacent ramps are meticulously designed to ensure universal accessibility throughout the facility.

Congruous to CCA’s ethos of upholding a sustainable design practice, environmental considerations are integral to the design and development of sports architecture. The project incorporates natural light and cross-ventilation through a lattice of concrete blocks arranged on the double-height walls of the sports centre. Simultaneously, systems for rainwater harvesting reflect a commitment to eco-friendly architectural practices and the well-being of the users, which is further deepened by the building’s verdant surroundings. This thoughtful integration of the sports complex and stadium design within a lush setting and residential neighbourhood morphs the built environment with the natural landscape.

Previously published sports centres on STIR include a perforated concrete monolith for Waseda University Honjo Senior High School Gymnasium in Japan by Nikken Sekkei; a pyramidal roof soaring over central courts of the Figured Ground - University Sports Arena in Hubbali, India by Thirdspace Architecture Studio and a seemingly floating roof defining the Češča Vas Pool Complex in Slovenia by Enota Architects.

Project Details

Name: Manuel Vargas Izquierdo Stadium and High-Performance Sports Centre
Location: Jálpa de Mendez, Tabasco, México
Typology: Sports Architecture
Client: SEDATU, Municipality of Jalpa de Mendez
Office: CCA Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica
Lead Architect: Bernardo Quinzaños
Design Team: Andrés Suárez, André Torres, Miguel Izaguirre,, Javier Castillo, Carlos Cruz, Gabriela Horta, Florencio de Diego, Lorenza Hernández, Mara Calderón de la Barca, Norma Mendoza, Jair Rodríguez, Santiago Vélez, Begoña Manzano, Fernanda Ventura, Victor Zúñiga
Collaborators: CLAVE. Luis Trinidad, Eber Castellanos Ramos, Erick Álvarez Aguilar, Tirso Cuesta Guillen. TRASGO. José Fernando Orozco González, Gerardo González Gutiérrez, Eber Castellanos Ramos (Constructor)
Area: 4,744 sqm
Year of Completion: 2023