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Torres de Satélite

Torres de Satélite is a group of monumental urban sculptures in Ciudad Satélite, Naucalpan, in the State of Mexico. Planned in 1957 by Luis Barragán, Jesús Reyes Ferreira, and Mathias Goeritz, it became one of the country’s first large-scale urban sculptures. The original concept called for seven towers, including one intended to reach 200 meters, but budget cuts reduced the project to five towers. The tallest now stands 52 meters high and the shortest 30 meters. Goeritz first imagined different shades of orange, but the final color scheme was changed to one tower each in red, blue, and yellow, plus two white towers. The work was inaugurated in early March 1958 as a symbol of the new Ciudad Satélite.

Torres de Satélite with five brightly colored geometric towers against a blue sky.
The Torres de Satélite rise in bold geometric colors against a clear blue sky.
October 2553 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Torres de Satélite with three tall colored rectangular towers against a partly cloudy blue sky.
The Torres de Satélite rise above greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
September 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Torres de Satélite with five brightly colored geometric pillars rising against a cloudy sky.
The Torres de Satélite rise above an urban roadway in Ciudad Satélite, with bold blue, yellow, and red forms visible.
September 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Torres de Satélite colorful towers rising beside a busy multi-lane highway.
The Torres de Satélite stand in the middle of a busy highway, with traffic and roadside buildings around them.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Torres de Satélite geometric towers in red, blue, gray, and gold against a cloudy sky.
Torres de Satélite seen from below, with its tall geometric forms rising against a cloudy sky.
February 2012 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleTorres de Satélite
TypeGroup of sculptures
English titleSatellite Towers

Location and ownership

LocationCiudad Satélite, Naucalpan de Juárez, State of Mexico, Mexico, on Anillo Periférico in the northern section
Threat to surroundingsHeavy traffic and the passage of the elevated Viaducto Bicentenario along one side
Current concernLocal residents are worried about the integrity of the structures and their visual surroundings

Historical context

Date of inaugurationEarly March 1958
Stylistic conceptArchitecture of emotion
SignificanceOne of the first large-scale urban sculptures in Mexico
Reason fewer towers were builtLack of budget
Original intended placementAt the entrance to the emerging city
Influence visitA 1951 trip by Goeritz and Barragán, accompanied by art historian Justino Fernández, to San Gimignano
Main influenceThe towers of San Gimignano, Italy
Associated personMiguel Alemán Valdés supposedly lived in Ciudad Satélite
Associated originThe idea of Ciudad Satélite originated during the presidency of Miguel Alemán Valdés
Inauguration contextOfficially opened as a symbol of the newly born modern Ciudad Satélite
Original designOriginally planned as a large fountain at the entrance to the city
Original planned number of towersSeven
Final number of towersFive
Original planned height200 meters
Planning began1957

Creator

Commissioned byMario Pani
Suggested byLuis Barragán
CollaboratorsMathias Goeritz and painter Jesús Reyes Ferreira
Planned byLuis Barragán, Jesús Reyes Ferreira, and Mathias Goeritz

Physical characteristics

FormTriangular prisms of different sizes
Height30 to 52 meters

Materials

Surface colorOriginally different shades of orange; later repainted in various color schemes, including red, blue, yellow, white, and orange ochre

History and restoration

Reason for design changeBudget reduction eliminated two towers
2008 restorationFor the 50th anniversary, the towers were refurbished by the Municipality of Naucalpan and private donors
Lighting statusOut of use, and it is unknown whether it will be repaired
2008 lightingArchitectural lighting was installed
2008 paint used7,000 liters of anti-graffiti paint
2008 restoration resultThe towers were returned to their original colors
2008 restoration methodPrevious paint layers were removed by firing polyurethane foam at them
Later repaintingAround 1974 the towers were repainted into the present multicolored scheme
1989 restoration tracesPaint can remnants remain inside the ochre tower
Final color schemeOne red tower, one blue tower, one yellow tower, and two white towers
Condition before 1989 repaintingThey had shown some deterioration due to time and pollution
Surface area6,644 square meters
Color change in 1967The towers were painted in orange tones at Goeritz's initiative to create better contrast with the blue sky
Original color planDifferent shades of orange
Reason for original color changePressure from builders and investors
1989 restorationThe surface was repainted by Nervión and Bayer de México

Iconography and meaning

Color symbolismThe red, blue, and yellow towers were described as the primary subtractive colors

Significance

Heritage proposalProposed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site
Quoted characterizationDescribed as 'a huge billboard turned into architecture'
Historical significanceA distinctive symbol of the Satélite area and the emerging Ciudad Satélite

Appearance

Stated aesthetic effectLarge geometric volumes and simple tonal ranges create a unique effect in the urban landscape

Other

Appears in filmThe Holy Mountain
Film scene detailThe unnamed protagonist is hoisted up the red tower, enters it through a circular hole painted for the film, meets the Alchemist inside, and begins a metaphysical transformation
Appears in music videoFool Again by Westlife
Appears in comic bookComic book #14 of Marvel Comics' Champions series, likely as an artistic choice by penciller Humberto Ramos