SubscribeSign In
When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
Monterrey Housing in Monterrey, Mexico (2010) Priced at $20,000 per unit, this housing development was designed to be significantly more affordable for low-income communities in Monterrey, Mexico, where the most inexpensive options range at about $30,000 each.
Monterrey Housing in Monterrey, Mexico (2010) Priced at $20,000 per unit, this housing development was designed to be significantly more affordable for low-income communities in Monterrey, Mexico, where the most inexpensive options range at about $30,000 each.
The roof terrace is conceived as a large exterior room, delimited by walls and windows that frame the fantastic views of the Monterrey mountains.
The roof terrace is conceived as a large exterior room, delimited by walls and windows that frame the fantastic views of the Monterrey mountains.
Named Los Terrenos, meaning The Terrains, this retreat in Monterrey, Mexico, was designed by Mexico City–based architect Tatiana Bilbao to reflect the lush woodland hillside it sits on. The dwelling consists of two volumes made of rammed earth, terracotta clay bricks, and a facade clad in mirrored glass.
Named Los Terrenos, meaning The Terrains, this retreat in Monterrey, Mexico, was designed by Mexico City–based architect Tatiana Bilbao to reflect the lush woodland hillside it sits on. The dwelling consists of two volumes made of rammed earth, terracotta clay bricks, and a facade clad in mirrored glass.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
The Museo del Acero Horno 3, designed in 2007 in Monterrey, Mexico. Image courtesy Paul Rivera.
The Museo del Acero Horno 3, designed in 2007 in Monterrey, Mexico. Image courtesy Paul Rivera.
House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, Tadao Andao, 2011
House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, Tadao Andao, 2011
House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, Tadao Andao
House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, Tadao Andao
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Tadao Andao: House in Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, 2011
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
Monterrey Macroplaza by Taller G
At a home in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico that was designed as a collaboration between Gilberto L. Rodríguez, of GLR Arquitectos, and Alberto Campo Baeza, of Estudio Campo Baeza, the architects sought to pay homage to Mexican architect Luis Barragán. A strong presence of light and color are at play throughout the house, including the kitchen, where a clean white kitchen island covers bright neon yellow storage. The cabinets are translucent, seeming to glow from within, and provide a focal point in the otherwise white and black kitchen.
At a home in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico that was designed as a collaboration between Gilberto L. Rodríguez, of GLR Arquitectos, and Alberto Campo Baeza, of Estudio Campo Baeza, the architects sought to pay homage to Mexican architect Luis Barragán. A strong presence of light and color are at play throughout the house, including the kitchen, where a clean white kitchen island covers bright neon yellow storage. The cabinets are translucent, seeming to glow from within, and provide a focal point in the otherwise white and black kitchen.
LABNL Citizen Cultural Laboratory / Old Federal Palace of Monterrey
LABNL Citizen Cultural Laboratory / Old Federal Palace of Monterrey
Evan Schivley of Arborica milled a custom board-and-batten shape for the home, which is cladded in reclaimed Monterrey cyprus.
Evan Schivley of Arborica milled a custom board-and-batten shape for the home, which is cladded in reclaimed Monterrey cyprus.
Expanded and renovated rear yard with deck, bocce court and featuring giant Monterrey Cypress
Expanded and renovated rear yard with deck, bocce court and featuring giant Monterrey Cypress
Environmental graphics for Tadao Ando's new arts center at the Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico.
Environmental graphics for Tadao Ando's new arts center at the Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico.
The Monterrey, Mexico-based design studio offers a fresh interpretation of a classic outdoor chair, to delightful results.
The Monterrey, Mexico-based design studio offers a fresh interpretation of a classic outdoor chair, to delightful results.
The stairway at 55 Monterrey winds around a central skylight. Restored woodwork and an all-white color scheme add a modern touch to the restoration.
The stairway at 55 Monterrey winds around a central skylight. Restored woodwork and an all-white color scheme add a modern touch to the restoration.
The design of La Norestense began with a study of the traditional rocking chair that’s been a large part of daily life in Monterrey, Mexico.
The design of La Norestense began with a study of the traditional rocking chair that’s been a large part of daily life in Monterrey, Mexico.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised.
The La Norestense rocking chair is produced between two Mexican cities. The metal work is produced in Monterrey, Mexico, while the palm weaving is done in Mexico City by expert weavers.
The La Norestense rocking chair is produced between two Mexican cities. The metal work is produced in Monterrey, Mexico, while the palm weaving is done in Mexico City by expert weavers.
The design for 55 Monterrey features an eight-story apartment building grafted onto the rear of a historic home. Windows, roof terraces, and a shared entrance in the historic part of the building connect the two structures.
The design for 55 Monterrey features an eight-story apartment building grafted onto the rear of a historic home. Windows, roof terraces, and a shared entrance in the historic part of the building connect the two structures.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised. There is a swimming lane and a terrace with seating and a grill for open-air gatherings.
In front of the living room is a patio that gives access to the garden, sunken half-a-story so that views to the city of Monterrey are never compromised. There is a swimming lane and a terrace with seating and a grill for open-air gatherings.
The Incremental Housing project in Iquique, Chile, and Monterrey, Mexico produces half-finished houses that are completed by the residents and contain only the essentials of a built home—bathroom, kitchen, structure and roof—in order to stretch resources further to meet the rapidly growing demand for housing. Concrete, brick concrete, wood panel houses by architects Alejandro Aravena, Tomás Cortese, Emilio de la Cerda, Andrés Iacobelli, and Alfonso Montero, Elemental (Chile). Iquique, Chile, 2003-4. Photo courtesy of Elemental.
The Incremental Housing project in Iquique, Chile, and Monterrey, Mexico produces half-finished houses that are completed by the residents and contain only the essentials of a built home—bathroom, kitchen, structure and roof—in order to stretch resources further to meet the rapidly growing demand for housing. Concrete, brick concrete, wood panel houses by architects Alejandro Aravena, Tomás Cortese, Emilio de la Cerda, Andrés Iacobelli, and Alfonso Montero, Elemental (Chile). Iquique, Chile, 2003-4. Photo courtesy of Elemental.