Altavista, CDMX
2007
Site area: 450m2
Built area: 1,500m2
Photography: Fabian Dejtiar
The architectural concept seeks to separate indoor spaces from the outside through double facades, screens and visual focal points. The aim is to create a dignified residential project that contrasts with its surroundings, addressing road noise and unfavourable views.
The project is to be developed on a rectangular site with a total area of 409 m2, behind San Ángel. The green surroundings enhance the views from the interior.
The project's main challenge comes from its access road, the "lateral del periférico". Rather than an advantage, this road presented a challenge because of its unfavourable views, noise pollution and heavy traffic.
The building is 14 metres high and contains 6 apartments with open floor plans and light wells. The apartments cover 90m2 and 180m2, with flexible layouts and different finishes to meet different needs.
A common feature of these proposals is increased ceiling height in the apartments' social areas. This approach is interesting because it creates a greater sense of space through a double height which, although it adds to the building's cost, does not count as additional square metres in the occupancy calculations. This is the focal point of the apartment design.
In this context, distant views become particularly valuable. Projects such as this face green spaces and establish a relationship with the outdoors that is more typical of a house than an apartment.
The building's aesthetic approach uses linear concepts. Its main facade is formed by a double skin:
The first layer is a solid facade with rectangular, double-glazed windows that establish a relationship with the neighbouring building. These openings allow natural light into the apartments while protecting them from noise pollution.
The second layer is a regular screen made of perforated aluminium sheets. It reveals glimpses of the solidity of the first facade, screens unfavourable views and gives the building a contemporary character.
The rear facade contrasts completely with the building's solidity through a transparent design of floor-to-ceiling windows that open from side to side. This provides views from the interior to the outside, admits natural light and enhances the surrounding green views.
Vehicle access is provided by a ramp down to the basement. Pedestrian access follows a series of steps leading to the same level, which houses the security booth, lift and emergency stairs serving each apartment.


