HEMAA overhauls a mid-century house in Mexico City
17/08/2021.
[Mexico City] Mexico
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
Sierra Negra 27 is a renovated house in Mexico City, by the HEMAA architecture firm, lead by Alejandra Tornel, José Miguel Fainsod, Santiago Hernández Matos.
It is a project that rescues and reforms a previous one designed in the 1950s by the Mexican architect Augusto H. Alvarez. The reform proposal follows the initial grid of the house, organized around four structural axes with separations of four meters.
It is a project that rescues and reforms a previous one designed in the 1950s by the Mexican architect Augusto H. Alvarez. The reform proposal follows the initial grid of the house, organized around four structural axes with separations of four meters.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA. Photograph by Rafael Gamo.
Ground floor plan. Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA.
First floor plan. Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA.
Elevations. Sierra Negra 27 by HEMAA.
The project, designed by HEMAA, has a basic volume with large openings towards the garden and, at the request of the client, a façade towards the street that generates an image of security and privacy for the project.
"The intention is to evoke the features of modern Mexican architecture from the middle of the last century through materiality, the exaltation of order and that of structural elements. The configuration of the spaces seeks to convey the feeling of constant openness and connection with the immediate natural environment."
The exterior is covered by a dark gray stucco that emphasizes its tectonic and monolithic condition. In the interior, the light colors are highlighted with the use of light oak wood that covers the interiors, softening the contrasts.
The house is organized on three levels. The access It is accessed on the ground floor with a hall living and dining room spaces connected to the kitchen and the library. The four bedrooms and the family room are located on the second level. The third floor offers a space, specifically dedicated to leisure, which is extended with an outdoor terrace.
Project description by HEMAA
The project consists in the overhaul of an existing structure that has been subject of several modifications throughout the years. After some research on the property, we were able to trace back to the original documents of the house, designed by the renowned Mexican architect Augusto H. Álvarez back in the `50s.
We decided to align our proposal to the base grid plan of this construction, which assembles the distribution of spaces around four structural axes every four meters. We planned on a simple architectural volume facing the interior garden and, upon our client’s request, an appropriate façade towards the street that offers security and privacy.
The intention is that of evoking the lines of Mid-Century Modern Architecture through materiality traits and the exaltation of order and structural elements. The layout of its spaces seeks to convey a sense of constant openness and connection with the exterior.
Its dark gray stucco façade emphasizes its tectonic and monolithic essence. On the other hand, light oak wood panels and modules in the interior gracefully marry the contrasts and neutralize the light, creating calm, fresh and organic spaces.
A privacy sequence of the habitable spaces is determined throughout the different levels of the house. The access is located at ground level, right at the front. A chiaroscuro lighting effect welcomes guests into the house’s foyer that leads into the living and dining room areas, which are connected to the library and kitchen. Four bedrooms and a family room are to be found on the second floor. The third level features an exterior terrace and a perfect space specifically designed for wellness-related activities.
The final functionality of the project is in line with the arrangement of its architectural elements. Such is clearly seen on its façade, it works as an X-ray of the building giving us a glimpse into the life within its structure which transforms as the day goes by, thanks to reflections and transparencies that smooth out and blur the lines between the interior and the exterior of the project.
More information
Architects
H E M A A. Lead architects.- Alejandra Tornel, José Miguel Fainsod, Santiago Hernández Matos.
Design team
Cristina Alessi, Ricard Lostao, Carlos Núñez.
Collaborators
Structural Design.- Humberto Girón. Engineering.- Grupo BVG.
Area
Property Area.- 455 m² / 4,897 square feet.
Floor Area Ratio.- 220 m² / 2,368 square feet.
Construction.- 640 m² / 6,888 square feet.
Dates
2018.
Location
Mexico City, Mexico.
Photography
Alejandra Tornel, José Miguel Fainsod, Santiago Hernández Matos. HEMAA
HEMAA is an architecture firm and developer, lead by Alejandra Tornel, José Fainsod y Santiago Hernández Matos architects, established in 2010 sit in Mexico City.
Its architecture seeks to improve the lives of its users by proposing particular solutions in each project through the articulation of spatial sequences that integrate an order, character and harmony with its natural context, paying special attention to details, ensuring the functionality of each space and understanding the end result as an assemblage of habitable atmospheres.
Its architecture seeks to improve the lives of its users by proposing particular solutions in each project through the articulation of spatial sequences that integrate an order, character and harmony with its natural context, paying special attention to details, ensuring the functionality of each space and understanding the end result as an assemblage of habitable atmospheres.
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