OAXACA DE JUÁREZ, MEXICO -- Since March 2009, Alcalagres, a Tile of Spain branded manufacturer, has been involved in the development of one of the most significant projects in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez -- the capital city of the State of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. Through the company's local representative, Porcer, Alcalagres has supplied an extensive amount of exterior porcelain cladding for the project Ciudad Judicial (meaning "Judiciary City") -- a project by the Government of the State of Oaxaca that has turned into the largest administrative infrastructure improvement initiative in the whole country. It is part of the city's urban development plan.

The city of Oaxaca de Juárez, which is located in the heart of the state of Oaxaca, is surrounded by mountains in an area with considerable seismic activity as well as drastic changes in temperature, strong winds and a high average rainfall -- all of which means sophisticated materials and cutting-edge technology are a necessity in the construction of the infrastructure. Considering these quality and safety requirements, the Government of the State of Oaxaca appointed Modus Vivendi, an Oaxaca-based architectural firm managed by architect José Manuel Rodríguez Cid, to design and develop the project as well as supervise the construction work.

The complex consists of 12 separate buildings surrounded by green areas, public squares and walkways, and it features the latest technology in terms of energy savings, respect for the environment and low maintenance, aiming at low environmental impact and high sustainability, according to Alcalagres. The exterior of the buildings features cavity wall facades with exposed structure and binding systems specially designed to endure the harsh weather and geological conditions in the area. The facades are finished in Alcalagres Lifestone Nácar Lappato 24- x 24-inch (600- x 600-mm) rectified and bevelled tiles with a thickness of 10 mm.

The project is being carried out by Mexico-based construction contractors Marhnos, and the facade is being installed by Porcer-Faresa, which has already installed more than 320,000 square feet out of the more than 460,000 square feet of Alcalagres porcelain tiles that are included in the first stage of the project. The company expects further tile orders for the next project phase. Ciudad Judicial is considered to be an architectural reference for similar projects to be carried out by Mexican institutions in other states in the future, reports Alcalagres.