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Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

Ruta del Peregrino: Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp and Periférica

Here's another pavilion from the Ruta del Peregrino pilgrimage route (see our earlier story) this time a ring of concrete by Mexican studios Dellekamp and Periférica.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

The Sanctuary Circle has a single doorway cut in one side and visitors can also enter where the ground descends, creating a gap so they can duck beneath the hovering edge of the circle.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

The La Ruta del Peregrino is a 117km-long pilgrimage route in Mexico.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

Each new structure is intended to provide shelter and serve as a landmark along the route through the Jalisco mountain range.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

Photography is by Iwan Baan - see more images of this project on his website.

See more stories about La Ruta del Peregrino on Dezeen »

Here is some more information about the project:


Void Temple

The circle is a universal symbol of unity, a meaning that transcends cultures, borders, and languages. It appears time and time again within the religious rituals and depictions, from the halo of holy figures to the shape of the Holy Spirit during communion.

It also represents a cycle, a never-ending journey symbolizing the faith of pilgrims. The circle offers a place for introspection, a space for pilgrims to look back upon their journey, before carrying on to their final destination.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

Ruta del Peregrino
Jalisco, Mexico

Ruta del Peregrino is a religious phenomenon centred and moved by the adoration to the virgin of talpa.

La Ruta del Peregrino (Pilgrim's Route) stretches out on a distance of 117 kilometers.

Approximately two million people participate each year in this religious phenomenon coming from different states of México to walk through the mountain range of Jalisco, starting in the town of Ameca, ascending to el Cerro del Obispo at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, crossing the peak of Espinazo del Diablo to descend to it's final destination in the town of Talpa de Allende to meet with the Virgin of Talpa as an act of devotion, faith and gratitude.

Sanctuary Circle by Dellekamp Arquitectos and Periférica

This religious voyage has taken place since the 17th century, for the pilgrims the act of faith is carried to penitence, the conditions of the route are harsh. This sacrifice carried with austerity is an essential part of the promise or offering that become the ritual of purification.

This project aims to provide the historical route with better conditions for the pilgrims as well as to maximize the social and economical profit for this area by taking advantage of this massive event. Based on a systematic vision the project becomes a sustainable site with different layers of meaning.

As we focus on the whole, the master plan consists of an ecological corridor with infrastructure and iconic architectural pieces that add to the religious ritual and also aim to appeal to a broader audience and allow the Route to have a flow of visitor beyond the religious.

Ruta del Peregrino

Credits and Data

Project title: Sanctuary Circle
Location: Cocinas
State: Built
Architects: Dellekamp Arquitectos, Periférica
Team: Rozana Montiel, Derek Dellekamp, Alin Vázquez, Aldo Espinobarros, Pedro Sánchez, Ignacio Méndez, Jachen Schleich

Title of whole project: Route of Pilgrim
Client: Secretaría de Turismo de Jalisco
Program: Masterplan of Route of Pilgrim
Location: From Ameca to Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico

Curatorial team: Tatiana Bilbao and Derek Dellekamp
Masterplan and project coordination: Rozana Montiel and Derek Dellekamp
Investigation team: Adiranne Montemayor, Carlos Zimbron
Invited architects and designers: Ai Weiwei / Fake Design (China), Luis Aldrete
(Mexico), Tatiana Bilbao (Mexico), Christ & Gantenbein AG Architekten (Switzerland), Dellekamp Arquitectos (Mexico), Elemental (Chile), Godoylab (Mexico), HHF architects (Switzerland), Periférica (Mexico), Taller TOA (Mexico)

Basic services- various- Godoylab
Environmental strategy- TOA|Taller de Operaciones Ambientales