Named after the Oaxacan born artist Rufino Tamayo (-) and with the symbolic shape of the cross, the museum&#;s shape derives from the client’s preliminary studies that defined the optimal functionality. BIG&#;s proposal further enhances it by taking advantage of the best views from above, making the best of the steep terrain and shading the more social program below and creating exterior and interior spaces that overlap for optimal climatic performance.

The design of the new Travel Center will work with the building&#;s integrated solar cell system on the vast roof surface to harvest the sun&#;s energy, with the capability of covering nearly % of the project’s energy demand. The indoor climate will be managed through natural ventilation, and heating through underfloor heating, and the potential use of floor cooling and rainwater recycling. Conditions will be improved for public transport in the city, providing a natural flow for bicycles and pedestrians, as well as passengers switching between modes of transport. These benefits along with charging stations and places for micro-mobility will reduce citizen’s reliance on cars.

BIG converted the former s Transitlager warehouse with an &#;opposite twin&#;: both the old and the new are the same size, born out of the same structural grid, but assuming different massing, geometry, and scales of use. One is straight, the other zigzagged; one is singular, the other serial; one is open and flexible, the other bespoke; public contrasts private while vibrant urban spaces complement private gardens.

The Puzzle House is a multi-functional object consisting of a series of individual elements, that when together form a house. Separately, each piece can act as a seating element. A big variety of seating scenarios for group discussions, or auditorium style seating for events or public speaking can be be configurated. When flipped on their sides, they can also act as wind barriers or partitions to delineate spaces for various group activities.

Upon entering The Smile, residents are met by red, blue, green, and yellow tiles, inspired by Harlem’s Puerto Rican and Caribbean murals. The exterior of the building trickles into the interior, with the multicolored mailbox mirrors, colored tiles, and the wooden furniture shaped to mimic the curve of the building form. The material palette, herringbone tile pattern and sparks of color are carried into the elevators and the upper floor residential lobbies, creating a unified experience throughout the building.