zoom_in Click to enlarge

Alberto Kalach

▲ ▼

description Alberto Kalach Overview

Alberto Kalach is a Mexican architect and founder of the practice Taller de Arquitectura X, commonly known as TAX. His work ranges from private houses and gardens to cultural buildings and large urban proposals, often emphasizing vegetation, daylight, structure, and the relationship between architecture and landscape. He led the design of Mexico City's Biblioteca Vasconcelos, opened in 2006, whose suspended shelving systems and central garden organize a monumental public library.

help Alberto Kalach FAQ

Who designed the Biblioteca Vasconcelos?

Mexico City's Biblioteca Vasconcelos was designed by Alberto Kalach and his firm TAX (Taller de Arquitectura X), in collaboration with Juan Palomar. It opened in 2006 in the Buenavista neighborhood. The library is nicknamed the 'megabiblioteca' for its massive suspended-bookshelf structure.

What is special about Biblioteca Vasconcelos's architecture?

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos is famous for its dramatic open interior with cantilevered bookshelves suspended in mid-air, giving the appearance of books floating in a vast hall. The building integrates a botanical garden and is set within a former rail yard. Kalach's design emphasizes transparency and natural light.

Did the Biblioteca Vasconcelos have construction problems?

Yes, the library closed shortly after its 2006 opening due to structural defects in the bookshelf system and was substantially repaired before reopening in 2008. The closure was politically controversial in Mexico. The repairs addressed issues with the suspended shelving system.

What other projects has Alberto Kalach designed?

Alberto Kalach and TAX have designed numerous projects in Mexico, including residential buildings like Casa Ámbar, the San Jerónimo residential development, and master plans for Mexico City. He won an international competition for a redesign of the Los Angeles River (with La K Dub). Kalach is known for modernist work that engages with Mexican climate and context.