佩滕，兰斯502号丨墨西哥墨西哥城

Architects:REIMS 502

Area:1200m²

Year:2023

Photographs:Ariadna Polo

Lead Architect:Eduardo Reims

Category:Apartments,Adaptive Reuse

Team:Andrea Maldonado, Hugo Gómez, Juan Pablo Guerra, Gerardo Fosado, Sebastián Mercado

Site Surface:600 m2

City:Ciudad de México

Country:Mexico

Text description provided by the architects. In Mexico City, buildings from the 1950s in the Vértiz-Narvarte neighborhood displayed a modern architectural style characterized by clean lines, bold geometry, and minimalist façades. Within this context, in 1956 a multifamily residential building for working-class residents was constructed, designed by architect and civil engineer Enrique Hernández Camarena.

The three-story building stood out for its fusion of modern and traditional elements. The façade featured clean, symmetrical lines, with large windows that allowed abundant natural light to enter. The use of materials such as concrete, stone, and glass conveyed a modern and experimental character. The carefully designed interiors offered spacious and functional environments, with architectural details that enhanced the quality of the spaces. In this way, the building on Petén Street became a testament to the evolution of Mexican architecture toward more refined forms, reflecting the collective search for an aesthetic aligned with the modern and progressive vision of the time.

Sixty-five years later, this former twelve-unit building, which had fallen into neglect and deterioration, was rediscovered as a valuable piece of urban heritage worthy of preservation. Its rehabilitation and reintegration into the real estate market became possible through the capitalization of a legislative gap that does not strictly regulate the subdivision of private units for rental purposes. This made it possible to develop a new and profitable form of property ownership for the original architect's heirs, now retired older adults seeking to generate income from their inherited assets.

Thus, the original twelve apartments were transformed into twenty-four one-bedroom residential units, redesigned and adapted to contemporary needs that align with the socioeconomic realities of a young, active, and diverse population seeking a light, flexible, and entrepreneurial urban lifestyle.

The building's central location, its connections to public transportation networks, and the surrounding urban infrastructure provide new residents with the opportunity to live an accessible, sustainable, and dignified life in Mexico's most important city.

This adaptive reuse project is grounded in a deep respect for heritage and a strong commitment to preserving and enhancing the historic character of the building, while contributing to the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. Its primary motivation is to recover what has ceased to be efficient yet has demonstrated resilience in the face of devastating seismic events, allowing it to be repurposed and given new life while promoting urban sustainability and economic viability for its owners.

Ultimately, this housing complex seeks to elevate human values and enrich the built environment by creating extraordinary and accessible spaces that attract dynamic individuals who wish to invest in the culture of their neighborhood, live consciously, build community, support local initiatives, and embrace sustainable ways of living.

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