LGBTQ+ Community Center and House Rubén by Intersticial Arquitectura

A House Built Out of Love and Memory

The LGBTQ+ Community Center and House Rubén by Intersticial Arquitectura in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, stands as a living testament to affection, inclusion, and remembrance. Spanning 245 square meters, the project reimagines a traditional residence into a safe and inclusive community space for the LGBTQ+ population of the Bajío region.

Unlike houses that are inherited or purchased, Casa de Rubén was born from pure affection—a space created in honor of Rubén Salazar, a beloved son, brother, friend, and activist whose legacy continues through architecture that celebrates love and diversity.

Architecture as a Gesture of Presence and Inclusion

Rather than being a static monument, House Rubén is a living architecture—open, vulnerable, and human. The project moves beyond the notion of walls and roofs to become a space for pause, companionship, and listening. Here, the act of inhabiting becomes a gesture of community and empathy.

From the outset, architect Rodolfo Unda Cortés and his team understood that this was not merely a design exercise but a collective act of healing. The aim was to create a place where individuals could belong, feel safe, and exist freely, without explanation or judgment.

Restoring with Sensitivity to Memory and Time

Located in the Historic Center of Querétaro, the building held layers of history and silence. Instead of imposing new forms, the restoration was guided by respectful listening—an act of architectural empathy. The process became less about transformation and more about revealing what was already there.

By preserving the patina of age, exposing original textures, and allowing traces of time to remain visible, Intersticial Arquitectura honored both the past and the people who would inhabit it. Generous openings were introduced to enhance natural light and ventilation, connecting rooms, patios, and terraces through a fluid spatial continuity.

Spaces That Connect and Heal

The architectural intervention focused on creating balance between intimacy and openness. Rooms for workshops and therapy, shaded courtyards, and calm terraces are unified through minimal yet warm materiality. The use of concrete, wood, and restored stone establishes a tactile and emotional dialogue between permanence and vulnerability.

Each spatial gesture is designed to accompany, not control—to protect without confinement. In doing so, Casa de Rubén becomes a place where architecture quietly supports emotional healing, rather than dictating behavior or hierarchy.

A Community Home That Breathes Diversity

Casa de Rubén represents architecture as activism, materializing values of inclusion, empathy, and coexistence. The design avoids ostentation; it breathes through light, air, and presence. Every detail—from the gentle curvature of arches to the restored textures of walls—echoes the project’s essence: openness.

This house does not seek recognition; it seeks to hold space for others. It reminds us that architecture, when born from love, can transform social realities and foster dignity and connection.