LA-RFL-01-004 / Residencia en el Pedregal de San Ángel Farallon 246 Pedregal, Arq. Francisco Artigas, CDMX, 1952. Libro Francisco Artigas.
LIGA, Space for Architecture is an independent platform founded in Mexico City by Carlos Bedoya, Ruth Estévez, Víctor Jaime, Wonne Ickx, and Abel Perles. Since its founding in 2011, LIGA has focused primarily on solo exhibitions by architects or architecture studios, with the aim of promoting emerging architectural practices from Latin America. Alongside its exhibitions, LIGA has developed a wide range of public programs that highlight the richness and critical thinking present in the region’s architectural discourse.
With the LIGA-ARCHIVOS project, the platform expands its scope with a new perspective on the past. While working across Latin America, we’ve come across numerous historical archives of great value—many of which remain largely unknown or are difficult to access. These are often family collections or archives held by small foundations with limited resources or networks to share their content. Through this initiative, we aim to make these materials publicly available in digital form, opening up new opportunities for research, visibility, and reflection.
How does it work?
LIGA is actively exploring architecture-related archives across Latin America that may be both relevant and accessible, with an initial focus on Mexican photographic collections. We work in collaboration with the owners of these archives—often families or small foundations—to support the creation and management of digital versions that can help promote and activate their historical content.
Importantly, the original physical archives always remain with their rightful owners, who retain full control and responsibility for their preservation. LIGA does not take custody of any original materials. Instead, by mutual agreement and depending on available resources, we produce a full or partial digital copy of the archive and host it on a bilingual (Spanish/English) website.
LIGA promotes these archives through its digital platforms, social media, and public programs. We also seek meaningful ways to frame and contextualize the material within relevant historical or contemporary narratives.
If you are responsible for an archive related to Latin American architecture and are interested in giving it greater visibility, we invite you to reach out to us at: info@liga-df.com
Image Rights and Usage
If you are interested in using any of the images featured on this website for a print or digital publication, please contact us at info@liga-df.com.
Depending on the agreements established between LIGA-ARCHIVOS and the archive owners, we will either forward your request directly to the respective family, foundation, or photographer, or handle the request on their behalf.
Acknowledgments
This project was launched in 2020 with the support of a grant from the System of Supports for Creation and Cultural Projects (FONCA), Thirty-Fifth Cycle, 2019.
We are deeply grateful to the families, photographers, and archive owners who have generously shared their heritage with us, making this initiative possible.
