Rizoma de Lluvia / TANAT + Rizoma del Agua: Rainwater Pavilion in Chimalhuacán

In Chimalhuacán, Mexico, the architectural project 'Rizoma de Lluvia' by TANAT and Rizoma del Agua addresses the reality of water access in Mexican cities, where potable water is often delivered by trucks, stored in plastic bottles, and managed through informal networks. The project, curated by Valentina Díaz and led by architects Diego Rivero Borrell and Lucía Lozano, with design by David Contreras and technical input from Sergio López, spans 358 square meters and is slated for completion in 2025. The structure, categorized under Urban Design and Installations, integrates systems from providers such as Grohe, Liga, Rotoplas, and Veleta, with construction by Grohe + Water Prize and MEP engineering by Rotoplas. The design team includes Deportivo Las Flores for project management and Veleta for architectural offices. Photographed by Diego Rivero Borrell, the project responds to the 'economy of substitution' that has emerged where public water infrastructure fails, shifting responsibility onto households and individuals who must procure, store, and treat water themselves. The project's name, 'Rizoma de Lluvia' (Rain Rhizome), suggests a network-like approach to rainwater harvesting and distribution, challenging conventional urban water systems.