G20 Convention Center/ FR-EE
Address
Los Cabos, Mexico
Program
Convention Center
Client
Federal Government of Mexico
Status
Complete
Cost / Floor area
57,977 m2 / 624,059 ft2
Calendar
2012
Team
Fernando Romero, Mauricio Ceballos, Raymundo Zamora, Joana Gomes, Ricardo García, Hugo Fernández, Orlando Gómez, Ana Paula Herrera, Guillermo Paredes, Pedro Lechuga, Raúl Soria, Gustavo Ribera, Libia Castilla, Federico Giner y Raúl Ávila.
Construction companies
ACONSA
AKF
AL-KOAT
CARGO
Chicago Metallic
COGUTSA
Gallegos Consultores
GIE Elevadores
HUFCOR
KONE
MAXA Watershapes
PRET
PROA
Verde Vertical
YPASA
Photos & copyright
Rafael Gamo
Adam Wiseman
Text description provided by the architects.
Context
Constructed in less than seven months by the Mexican government for the annual G20 Economic Summit of 2012, the design reflects a global need to ensure strong, sustainable and balanced global growth. Techniques included a passive design strategy, a large green wall with a drip irrigation system, photovoltaics, LED lighting and natural light distributed through custom domes.
The Federal Government of Mexico selected FR-EE to design and construct a world-class Convention Center in Los Cabos, Mexico, to host the annual G20 Economic Summit in 2012. On that occasion the leaders of the world’s largest economies, including US’ President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took important steps to ensure strong, sustainable and balanced global growth.
Located beside a private golf community with views of the surrounding desert landscape to one side and the Gulf of California to the other, the Los Cabos International Convention Center has a capacity of up to 6,500 people. To accommodate a variety of uses during G20 and future conventions, festivals and events, FR-EE’s flexible design offers areas for exhibitions and conventions, multi-modal parking, a service mezzanine and other facilities for visitors.
A large open-air foyer overlooking a reflecting pool welcomes visitors to the center, creating a dazzling contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. A generous entrance hall complements the outdoor foyer and houses a variety of small lounges and a cafeteria. To meet a fixed deadline, the building was constructed in less than 7 months, integrating sustainable land development techniques specific to the desert climate, and serves as a model for green technology and sustainable design in Mexico. The Convention Center features a passive design strategy, one of the largest green walls in the world, a controlled drip irrigation system, photovoltaics, LED lighting and natural light distributed through custom-designed domes. Reflective of its mission, the G20 Convention Center establishes a global forum for actions and dialogue in support of a more sustainable future.
