Traces of Maya architecture merge with modern infrastructure solutions in the design of Palenque Station. Its sloping green-tiled roof evokes the ancient structures hidden in the Chiapas forest, while the open-sided layout allows for natural airflow throughout the building. Shading and ventilation, essential to coping with the area’s warm climate, played a decisive role in the station’s structural approach.
A defining feature of the building is a mosaic wall abstractly representing the green mask of Maya ruler King Pakal. Echoing the station’s overall geometry, this reference reinforces the cultural narrative. Built on the terrain of a former airport levee, the station is well-integrated with its landscape: technical spaces are located on the lower level, while passenger areas and control centers are organized above, forming a cohesive whole.
The structural system is composed of concrete columns and retaining walls that frame the train tracks, while steel supports and triangular roof framing bring lightness and openness to the structure. Local wooden elements and bamboo ceilings enhance the interior with visual warmth and support the project’s sustainability vision. The upper-level layout, developed around pergolas and a circular city plaza, also provides a base for future urban growth.
Palenque Station stands out not only as a transportation hub but also with its sensitivity to cultural and environmental contexts. As one of the terminal stops of the Maya Train, it contributes to regional development and brings the past and future together through architecture.
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