museo jumex
David Chipperfield Architects
Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City / México
glazing system, domes, louvers,
woodwork and special furniture
The Museo Jumex, designed by latest Pritzker Price winner, David Chipperfield, stands as a prominent landmark in Mexico City for contemporary art and architecture. We were commissioned to tackle several customized scope of the building. This includes the fabrication and installation of glazing system, domes, louvers, woodwork and special furniture.
The stainless-steel windows measures 6 meters (19' 8") in height and over 2 meters (6' 6") in length. These windows were intended to provide abundant natural light and panoramic views of the city, making them the largest glazing system at the time. It featured a customized stainless-steel mullion structure with laminated security glass using SentryGlas. Due to the considerable size of the glass, we engineered a specialized pivot mechanism, reducing their weight and enabling effortless daily operation. This discrete pivot, approximately 6 inches in size, distributed axial and radial forces through a series of steel bearings. For the installation process, we developed a flat surface crane/catapult system to transport and position the glass pieces accurately. This method ensured a precise fit, while mitigating the risk of fractures or damage during lifting and placement.
We fabricated and installed the domes and louvers for the Museo Jumex's iconic saw-tooth roof. Working closely with Arup's engineering team, we executed precise specifications for angle, glass properties, and temperature considerations. Our custom hidden anchoring system, along with humidity sealing and rigorous testing, ensured optimal performance. The louver system, crafted from 6” by 1⁄2” thick flat bars with an electrostatic paint finish, regulated sunlight while maintaining a seamless design. The flat bars crossing the metal profiles were uninterrupted nor divided at that intersection, but they continue and overpass the profiles as a jigsaw puzzle with rigorous precision. The seismic-proof design guaranteed safety and integrity, resulting in a visually clean glazing system with non-welded anchorage enhancing the museum's ambiance and showcased the artwork.
In addition to the above, we were responsible for crafting oversized wooden doors and stainless-steel furniture, as envisioned by the architect. The main entrance doors, measuring approximately 4.5 meters by 3.90 meters, were made of National Chechen wood with a natural finish. The same wood was used to create wooden tables for the gift shop. Furthermore, we constructed 2cm thick solid stainless-steel bookshelves and a reception desk with a mirror finish, demonstrating seamless joinery and enhancing the aesthetic appeal.
We contributed to the Museo Jumex project by fabricating custom features to maintain the original design intent, surpassing standard catalog offerings.
Architect: David Chipperfield
Architects Engineering consultant: Arup
Architect of Record: TAAU/ Oscar Rodríguez
General Contractor: PC Constructores