La Condesa a Trendy Mexico City neighborhood of engaging contrasts, has exploded remarkably in the last few years. Home not only to new restaurants, bars, galleries and cafes but also to totally new edifications that blend with the ones form the 40´s, generating an atmosphere that clearly reflects architects attempts to provide a new reading of the place. Such is the case of La Panaderia an emblematic space of La Condesa, once a European bakery later an alternative art gallery located at the ground level of an old dwelling building.
On top of this old structure a new one is proposed differentiating itself through shape, this new apartment resembles a nomad shelter which sits on top of a moonlit; Its users may vary and will occupy the space at different periods making it work as a transitory space, all floor material will be Santo Tomas marble the same being use at the city metro satiation.
The roof is treated as a continuous surface and will become the facade: a folded cover that will appropriate of the homogenous surrounding context. Made out of large sheets of beach glass Corian: A solid surface material with unobtrusive joints yet capable of generate endless coordinated surfaces. The horizontal plane is deformed according to the analysis of the existent structure and house circulations, which distribute the users private and public domains while defining visual permeability.
Folding and cutting the conceptual surface establish the program; roof terrace and interior spaces are defined by the manipulation of the plan. Interior distribution works on two bands incorporating the required program: access, living room and kitchen on the public band; main room on the private one. The terrace works as a surrounding space accessible from all rooms, working as an in-between space for the hose and the city.
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This project appeared on europaconcorsi home page slideshow dedicated to mexican architecture. The series was realized in cooperation with Derek Dellekamp. We thank him for his help, kindness and professional advice.
