The unknown projects of Ciudad Universitaria

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to clarify certain mistakes or omissions within the historiography of Ciudad Universitaria, and at the same time to track projects that were not built. It is known that Mario Pani and Enrique del Moral were the authors of the Masterplan, coordinating the working teams that were comprised by about fifty architects, including Maria Stella Flores, who was the Chief of the workshop of the project. Carlos Lazo was the General Manager of the construction, while Carlos Novoa was in charge of the administration as Executive President of the Board of Trustees, a fundamental position that allowed the works to come to their fruition. The main source of information –editions 36 and 39 of the magazine Arquitectura/México– has a few errors in the attribution of works, as well as in the data of the projects which were not built: Main Lecture Room, Hygiene Centre, General Services facilities, Building of the Department of the Distrito Federal for students, two dorms, Latinamerican House and North American House, Bathroom booths and Men’s Locker room. Three projects, whose plans and drawings were found, are analyzed: the Church by Ricardo de Robina; Dorms for students by Enrique Carral Icaza and Manuel Martínez Páez; and the Casino and Gym by Antonio Pastrana and Raúl Fernández.