DESIGN DESCRIPTION

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On a compact 127 m² (1,367 sq ft) plot, the project transforms a monolithic volume into a sequence of luminous interior spaces. A slate stone exterior contrasts with warm, wood-finished interiors, reinforcing spatial depth and material clarity.

The three-story structure rises toward the south, facing a vertical garden that becomes a key environmental and spatial element. With no possibility for a ground-level courtyard, the main terrace on the second level functions as the project’s primary social space, redefining the concept of an open patio. A small lecture studio occupies the upper level.

Passive design strategies are integral to the project, including cross-ventilation, VOC-free finishes, recyclable materials, and three thermal chimneys that regulate heat in private areas. More than 4,000 plants form the vertical garden, improving air quality, humidity, and thermal performance while absorbing approximately 267 kg of CO₂ annually.

Beyond its environmental role, vegetation is conceived as an architectural element—a luminous, theatrical plane that filters light, enhances depth, and expands the perception of space.

Credits:
Design Architect: Paul Cremoux W.
Project Team:
Anna Giribets Martin.
Structural Engineering:
Rogelio Carmona.
MEP Engineering, Sustainability Consultant, and Vertical Garden:
Ing. José Antonio Lino Mina, DIA.
General Contractor:
Alfredo Galván,
Photos:
Héctor Armanado Herrera and PCW.
Location:
Mexico City.