Armed Forces Memorial
Project Status: Completed
Project Year: 2013
Use: Cultural
Client: Federal Government
Area: 49,406 m2
Location: Mexico City
Construction: Taller A
Team: Mauricio Ceballos, La Metropollitana
Context
The project encompasses the creation of a public plaza integrating multiple programmatic elements — an Armed Forces Memorial, a Cultural Center, an open-air theater, and a sculptural landscape. Conceived as a space of remembrance and national identity, it pays tribute to the men and women of Mexico’s Armed Forces who lost their lives in the fight against organized crime.
The Armed Forces Memorial stands as the symbolic heart of the ensemble, while the surrounding cultural and artistic components extend the experience into education, reflection, and collective memory.
Design Principles
The Memorial’s fragmented geometry, divided into 32 volumes, represents the federal structure of Mexico, with each piece symbolizing one of the country’s states. Constructed in white marble, the interior space evokes purity and solemnity, with engraved names honoring the fallen soldiers. At its center, a cenotaph rises above a reflective water mirror, beneath which a waterfall flows — a poetic gesture symbolizing continuity, sacrifice, and renewal.
The Armed Forces Cultural Center complements the memorial through educational exhibits that trace the institution’s history, achievements, and technological development. An interactive installation further connects visitors with the human dimension of the Armed Forces, reinforcing the emotional and architectural dialogue of the site.
Across the landscaped gardens, thirty-two marble monoliths punctuate the terrain, echoing the Memorial’s symbolism and extending its message into the open space — a unifying gesture that celebrates Mexico’s territorial and civic identity.
Armed Forces Memorial
Project Status: Completed
Project Year: 2013
Use: Cultural
Client: Federal Government
Area: 49,406 m2
Location: Mexico City
Construction: Taller A
Team: Mauricio Ceballos, La Metropollitana
The project includes the design of a plaza featuring a Memorial, a cultural center, an open-air theater, and an outdoor sculpture project.
The design of the Armed Forces Memorial is characterized by the fragmentation of its volume into 32 parts, symbolizing each of Mexico’s states and serving as the focal point of the project.
Crafted from white marble, the interior of the Memorial features engravings of the names of soldiers who lost their lives in the fight against organized crime. At the center, a cenotaph rests upon a water mirror, with a waterfall cascading down to meet its base.
Adjacent to the Memorial is the Armed Forces Cultural Center, which offers a comprehensive overview of the history and achievements of the Armed Forces. It also houses a visual catalog showcasing their technology and weaponry.
Within the same area, an interactive installation explores the connection between fallen military personnel and the architectural and sculptural elements of the project.
Throughout the gardens, thirty-two white marble monoliths are scattered, symbolizing the territorial expanse of Mexico and honoring its political divisions and zoning.
