Tranquilidad is Jilotepec’s first housing development. A regional town about 2 hours out of Mexico City.
When I met with the architect, Tony, he spoke proudly about the project’s commitment to access and environment: each home built uses entirely local materials, native species removed during construction are replanted in the gardens, and the design keeps construction costs low so homes remain affordable for the community.
Despite its admirable aspirations, I still couldn’t help but notice a disconnect. The mural combines photographs I took of neighbourhood wall textures in both Mexico City and Jilotepec, collaged with imagery sourced from the extensive Cobertizo Library.
It felt important to work directly with the surface qualities I saw in my immediate surroundings - all the good textures come from years of renovation, repair, layering, adding narratives…not from the glossy brochures.
Painting at the entrance to the development — a public space accessible to the whole community — felt especially important…always thinking about inside and outside, public and private.
