Umbrella Roofs & Real Impact: How Aidia Studio Built A Mexican Market That Actually Works - Yanko Design

"What sets this project apart is how seriously the architects took the challenge of building something that would last. They chose steel, pigmented concrete, clay bricks, and local stone blocks specifically because they can handle the tropical weather without constant repairs. It's the kind of thoughtful planning that makes the difference between architecture that serves a community for decades versus something that falls apart in five years."

"The market grew out of a Mexican government program aimed at boosting rural economies. Rather than just dropping in a basic structure, Aidia Studio created something that works as both a marketplace and a community hub. People use the space for workshops, cultural events, and food preparation-it's become a genuine gathering place. The building's smart design makes it comfortable even in intense heat."

Mercado Nicolás Bravo occupies 7,700 square meters in Nicolás Bravo, Quintana Roo, and houses fifty vendor stalls beneath inverted umbrella vaults. Parabolic roof elements shade stalls and direct hot air upward, improving comfort in the humid tropical climate. Durable materials—steel, pigmented concrete, clay bricks, and local stone blocks—were selected to resist tropical weather and reduce maintenance. Two open courtyards admit light and cross-breezes while breaking up the stall grid. The market functions as a community hub for workshops, cultural events, and food preparation and supports local craftspeople by attracting tourists and economic opportunities.

Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News