This project emerged from a long-standing relationship between the autonomous community of San Francisco Pichátaro and the Faculty of Architecture at UMNSH. Rooted in a rich Purépecha heritage and shaped by a biocultural landscape, the community faces urgent challenges such as deforestation, water scarcity, and the erosion of traditional knowledge. Through participatory design, this initiative addresses the need to preserve cultural identity, promote ecological stewardship, and empower local self-management. The project is both a response to immediate infrastructural needs and a catalyst for long-term, community-led development.

The Kananguio Natural Reserve is an ecoturistic development that strengthens community resilience through cultural preservation, ecological awareness, and economic self-management. Designed to host up to 20 visitors in 5 cabins and around 50 participants in communal areas, it enables monthly workshops on traditional knowledge shared by and for the community. The project encourages sustainable tourism, seasonal stays (mainly weekends and holidays), and intergenerational learning, reinforcing biocultural continuity over time.

This project is the result of a close collaboration between academic, professional, and communal actors. Professor Juan Carlos Lobato, from the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), serves as the key liaison between the university and the communal government of San Francisco Pichátaro, facilitating dialogue and ensuring respectful engagement. Architect and photographer Abril Aguilar contributes to the architectural design process and documents the project visually, also managing communication and social media outreach. Architect Carlos Plascencia leads the architectural planning and project coordination, working hand in hand with the communal government, including the delegate responsible for the management of the Kananguio natural reserve. The project has been supported from its inception by local authorities, who have actively participated in assemblies, site visits, and decision-making. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to ecological restoration, cultural preservation, and sustainable development rooted in participatory design.