Photo: Luis Gerardo Gordoa Hernandez © All rights reserved. Courtesy by Higuera + Sánchez

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

This hotel project recycled an apartment building dating from 1928, catalogued by Mexico’s National Beaux Arts Institute. The perimeter of the building was preserved up to the first corridor, which was restored to its original state.

Photo: Luis Gerardo Gordoa Hernandez © All rights reserved. Courtesy by Higuera + Sánchez

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

The inside of the building was demolished to build a covered patio, that is the central space of the project. A dialogue between architectures goes on in here; the circulations leading to the hotel rooms are turned facing this open, public space, where the building connects to the outside.

Photo: Luis Gerardo Gordoa Hernandez © All rights reserved. Courtesy by Higuera + Sánchez

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

Folding aluminum shades open into the patio, infinitely transforming the space. The shades virtually extend the corridors and offer a play of seeing and not being seen. The sun travels in the patio generating chiaroscuros and giving greater depth to the space.

Photo: Luis Gerardo Gordoa Hernandez © All rights reserved. Courtesy by Higuera + Sánchez

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

The patio and the two levels that were added to the original structure were built with a steel structure and reinforced concrete flagstones, so they would blend in with the preexisting quarry and white cement paste finishes.

Image: JSª (formerly Higuera + Sanchez) © All rights reserved

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

Restaurant and bar services are located at the ground level to make the best use the pedestrian flow in the street. On the first and second floors, the hotel rooms have a balcony in the original spaces of the building.

Image: JSª (formerly Higuera + Sanchez) © All rights reserved

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

On the preexisting roof we built an additional level for suites with a private terrace. This level is pulled behind the main façade to avoid being seen from the street. Crowning the building we find a terrace with a spa and resting areas for the guests. This terrace in the evenings becomes a sushi bar, open for city dwellers.

Image: JSª (formerly Higuera + Sanchez) © All rights reserved

© Jsª Arquitectos . Published on June 27, 2007.

Awards:

2006. First Prize for best hotel in all categories, Best of Show, awarded by the New Yorker Magazine Hospitality Design Magazine

2006. First Prize at the Hospitality Design Awards in the category of best luxury hotel, awarded by the New Yorker Magazine Hospitality Design Magazine

2006. Honorary Mention at the 9th Biennial of Mexican Architecture

2007. International Architecture Awards for the best new global design organized by el Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd

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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.