Location: Mexico City, Mexico.

Architect: Ricardo Warman / RIWA Arquitectura.

The building in Colonia Condesa, Mexico City, was originally built in the 1940s as a residential building with three floors, two interior patios, and two single car garages. The windows were small and typical of the time. The building was made of terazzo, rose-colored concrete, paste mosaic, and warm wooden floors. The project aimed to remodel the building while preserving its original essence. The small windows were replaced with large floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors to allow more natural light. The living and dining rooms were integrated into one space, and the bathrooms and kitchens were renovated. A fourth floor was added, but it was recessed from the main facade to create a large terrace without compromising the original design. The building’s structure was modified by replacing water storage tanks with a cistern on the ground floor and using Polyestirene blocks instead of earth filling in all of the building’s slabs to lighten the structure. A metallic structure was used, along with cement, cast, and glass fiber to improve the acoustic and thermal conditions. The tenants share the laundry room, promoting rational gas, water, and electric use. Fotovoltaic Panels were installed on the roof to generate electrical energy used in common areas. The light shafts were transformed into green oases with plants and rhythmic geometric designs of classic floor mosaics. The natural light enters and floods the spaces, and natural ventilation passes through the ample window panes, allowing tenants to enjoy the temperate climate of the city. The outcome of the remodelation is a series of comfortable and cozy spaces where the urban bustle is forgotten, and everyday activities become affable.

Photo credit: Romain Chazelet.