# Terracotta Concrete Community Centers Fernanda Canales Designs Iztapalapa PILARES Community Center By Amy Duong | Published 2025-05-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iztapalapa-pilares-community-center References: [fernandacanales](https://fernandacanales.com/?lang=en)  Architecture studio Fernanda Canales designs the Iztapalapa PILARES Community Center. It is constructed next to a prison and defined by a [wavy terracotta lattice](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goetheinstitut). It stretches along the front side of the concrete area and is located in Iztapalapa. The borough is known for its high crime rate, and the center is designed as a part of the government-driven PILARES programme, which stands for 'Points of Innovation, Freedom, Art, Education and Knowledge." The architecture studio explained, "Iztapalapa PILARES Community Center is part of a series of projects that make up an initiative of the [Mexico City government](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-home-kit) to provide [cultural and learning centres](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tselinny-center) for the city's most neglected neighbourhoods and marginalised communities – offering classes, workshops and various activities in a safe atmosphere." Image Credit: Onnis Luque and Rafael Gamo ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 42% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Community-centric Architecture:** Architectural designs that focus on community integration and safety are transforming urban environments with innovative structures that foster social interaction. - **Cultural Enrichment Hubs:** The creation of multi-purpose spaces serving as cultural and learning centers enhances community engagement by encouraging lifelong learning and artistic expression. - **Sustainable Urban Design:** Using natural materials like terracotta in modern urban architecture promotes both environmental sustainability and aesthetic appeal in city landscapes. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Development:** The push for community centers in marginalized areas like Iztapalapa highlights the urban development industry's shift towards socially inclusive projects. - **Architecture:** The design of the Iztapalapa PILARES Community Center reflects an innovation opportunity in architecture by blending aesthetic appeal with functionality for community upliftment. - **Public Sector Initiatives:** Government-backed projects like the PILARES programme are transforming public sector strategies to emphasize cultural, educational, and social infrastructure in underserved communities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Green Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studios-workac-and-ignacio-urquiza-architects.md) - [Arched Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centro-de-colaboracin-arquitectnica.md) - [Oaxaca Concrete Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centro-dif-comitancillo.md) - [Semi-Open Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-for-the-elderly.md) - [Tonal Brick-Designed Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-de-los-reyes.md) - [Perforated Brick Wall Workshops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terra-cotta-workshop.md) - [Sculptural Cultural Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aydc-public-art-centre.md) - [Connecting Community Centers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/utt-empower-soweto.md) - [Interior Courtyard Mexican Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-ll.md)