The 2,700-seat concert hall at the heart of the Ciudad Universitaria, designed by Carlos Raúl Villanueva and dedicated in 1953. The hall's signature feature is the ceiling of 31 floating Calder clouds — multicoloured curved acoustic panels suspended at varying heights, painted by Alexander Calder, that scatter sound and create one of the great visual statements of mid-century modernism.
The Aula Magna has hosted everything from the Berlin Philharmonic to political rallies and graduation ceremonies. Access is generally only possible during concerts or scheduled university events. When open it is — along with Pueblo Bonito in New Mexico and a handful of others — one of those buildings where you stand still and look up for ten minutes before remembering to move.