The towers were originally intended to be painted in shades of orange, but the colors were changed during construction to improve visibility.
They were designed as a monumental entrance sign for the new Ciudad Satélite residential area during the late 1950s.
The hollow concrete structures are designed to appear as if they are shifting in color and perspective as drivers pass them at high speeds.
The largest tower stands 52 meters tall, while the shortest measures 30 meters.
In 2008, the towers underwent a significant restoration process to remove layers of graffiti and restore the original color palette.
The Torres de Satélite are a monumental urban sculpture located in the middle of the Periférico Norte highway in Naucalpan, Mexico. Designed by architect Luis Barragán, painter Jesús Reyes Ferreira, and sculptor Mathias Goeritz, the project was inaugurated in 1958. The installation consists of five triangular towers varying in height from 30 to 52 meters, constructed from hollow concrete. Originally painted white, yellow, blue, and red, the towers serve as an iconic symbol of the Ciudad Satélite urban development. The sculpture functions as an outdoor landmark rather than an accessible building, positioned within a high-traffic highway median. It represents a significant example of emotional architecture, intended to be perceived primarily by motorists. The towers were declared an artistic monument by the Mexican National Institute of Fine Arts in 2012.
From the pedestrian walkway that spans the Periférico, which offers an elevated, unobstructed angle.
View the towers from the pedestrian bridge or the peripheral sidewalks for a safer perspective.
Visit during sunset to see the towers illuminated against the changing sky.
Focus your photography on capturing the juxtaposition between the concrete towers and the surrounding heavy urban traffic.
Attempting to cross the multi-lane highway on foot is extremely dangerous and strictly prohibited.
