In order to optimize the entry process of domestic and international passengers, whether to Mexico or the United States of America – providing a high-level experience to passengers using the airport, architect Juan Pablo Serrano of Serrano + and WSP Mexico (Mexico) brought to reality the conceptual project carried out by Estudio Lamela (Spain) through the development of the construction project of the New Processing Building of the Tijuana International Airport with about 40, 000 m2 distributed over 4 levels.


The biggest challenge for the team was to achieve an architectural match and efficient passenger flow, through each of the airport subsystems within a four-level building. It had to be a facility that carefully limited the flow of passengers and guided them intuitively through the various processes they had to carry out, as well as being integrated into the architecture of the existing buildings, the Cross Border Xpress and the Terminal Building.


The new building follows Louis H. Sullivan’s principles of “form follows function”, through a linear, sober and functional architecture in which a materiality in neutral tones and interior spaces with double height and natural lighting stand out, which provide the passenger with an unparalleled spatial experience, making their journey from beginning to end pleasant. It has a structural skeleton of more than 6,000 tons of steel and 8,000 cubic meters of concrete; 18,000 m2 of curtain wall and fix-point glass, as well as 20,000 m2 of aluminum composite panel.


It is physically connected to the Main Building of the Tijuana International Airport and has all the necessary equipment for passenger processing:

• A baggage handling system.
• A Checked Baggage Screening Team (including CT scan for explosive detection).
• Inspection lines for carry-on items with X-ray machines and automatic tray return (5 fully automatic and 1 manual).
• 7 Customs lanes and 18 Immigration checkpoints.
• 52 International and domestic check-in counters.





  • Architect: Serrano + | WSP México
  • Photographer: Jaime Navarro
  • Other: GIA Construccion
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Posted by Juan Pablo Serrano

Serrano Monjaraz Arquitectos reaches 25 years developing architectural spaces where quality is achieved by the proper use of materials and light as creative elements. Being space their raw material, architects Juan Pablo Serrano Orozco and Rafael Monjaraz Fuentes, demonstrate their capability and performance in all architecture fields always supported by interdisciplinary teams. Their structure and professionalism has given them the opportunity to work in partnership with important firms as well as with national and international architects. They have been invited to national and international competitions and they actively participate in the formation and diffusion of architectural work. Architecture signifies their way to collaborate in the development of a better urban context because the correct design of spaces is the only way to create better cities. Their experience has been strengthened by the constant search of the perfect combination between form and structure. For them community is the backbone of the cities and buildings, in which settlers spend their day to day, these are the elements that help them contribute with spaces designed to improve the quality of life of their inhabitants. They have had the opportunity to design, direct and execute residential projects, restaurants, hotels, cultural centers and housing developments. The sensibility that they bring into their projects is the decanting of everything that they learn in their professional and personal activities. Light, materials and technology are combined in a perfect balance to create the living space around the inhabitant. Their awareness regarding the ecological balance and nature has been present in their projects since their inception and they consider that sustainability is not a trend but the only way to make architecture. They are members of the Green Building Council Chapter Mexico, to strengthen their contribution in the architectural scene designing buildings that have the highest energy performance standards. They have participated with their projects in various exhibitions in major countries like Mexico, United States, France, Singapore, Italy, Argentina, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, China, Australia, Greece and Spain, as well as in interviews and in various national and international magazines. They have received numerous awards and distinctions both in Mexico and abroad.

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