Utopia
Project Status: Under construction
Use: Sports Centers
Area: 906 m2
Location: Iztapalapa, Mexico City
Design: MCxA, Cano/Vera
Context
The project is situated on an irregularly shaped, flat plot of 1,561 m² in the borough of Iztapalapa, Mexico City. Of this total area, 906.50 m² are occupied by construction, leaving 654.50 m² of open, unbuilt space. The program is designed as a mixed-use facility that integrates recreation, health, and community services, distributed across multiple levels to maximize the site’s potential while maintaining functional clarity.
At the pool level, located below street grade, the design introduces a semi-Olympic pool measuring 25.00 x 13.50 meters. This level incorporates pedestrian access with a control zone, men’s and women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, family bathrooms, and a consulting room equipped with an examination table for emergencies. Vertical circulation is ensured through both a staircase and an elevator, connecting this level seamlessly to the rest of the building. The ground floor, aligned with street level, acts as the entry point to the facility. It houses a reception area, provides access to the building, and serves as the roof structure for the pool below.
Above, the next level is conceived as a mixed-use community space, primarily accommodating medical, therapeutic, and social functions. This floor includes the CASA DE DÍA, a center for recreation and care of the elderly, with spaces for physical rehabilitation, group and individual therapies, speech and learning therapy, and psychological services for women. Alongside these programs, the CASA DE LA MUJER offers a spa, a multipurpose room, an area for legal advice, medical consulting rooms, and support spaces such as a playroom, administration offices, laundry facilities, a boxing ring, storage, and service areas.
The following floor is dedicated to physical conditioning and fitness, featuring areas for weightlifting, cardio, climbing, and relaxation, along with men’s and women’s locker rooms and essential service facilities. Finally, the top level is an open-air space for team sports, containing a multifunctional court with the minimum regulatory dimensions to host soccer, basketball, volleyball, and tennis.
Design Principles
The architectural design of the project is guided by principles of programmatic clarity, vertical zoning, and community integration. Each level is carefully programmed to respond to a specific set of needs, ranging from aquatic activities and health services to physical conditioning and recreational sports, ensuring that the building serves as a multifunctional hub for diverse user groups. This vertical organization not only maximizes the efficiency of the irregular plot but also creates a clear hierarchy of spaces, where public entry and social services are located at the lower levels, while active recreation and sports rise toward the open-air rooftop.
A central design principle is the integration of health and well-being with recreation and community life. The combination of a semi-Olympic pool, therapy and rehabilitation spaces, fitness areas, and courts encourages users to transition between different modes of activity, reinforcing holistic wellness. At the same time, specialized programs such as CASA DE DÍA and CASA DE LA MUJER highlight the project’s social commitment by providing care, therapeutic attention, and empowerment spaces for vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and women.
Equally important is the accessibility and connectivity achieved through the provision of elevators and staircases on every level, ensuring universal access and fluid circulation across the complex. The presence of dedicated service areas on each floor also supports the building’s functionality without compromising the user experience. Finally, the architectural gesture of placing a multifunctional sports court on the rooftop celebrates openness and community, offering users not only a space for team sports but also an elevated platform that connects activity with the urban landscape of Mexico City.