CD8 is a building located in the historical center of Mexico City, right in the heart of its traditional Chinatown. Its characteristics presented a great opportunity for an architectural revitalization project to provide it with a new productive life.
From the street the building doesn´t promises much. The wrought iron balconies, vegetation and details create a nice harmony with the adjacent facades, maintaining the street´s rhythm.
When going inside the building transforms into a shelter from the hustle and bustle around it.
At the ground floor we are surrounded by a reminder of the Mexican culture —characterized by color pink— a wall covered in Talavera tiles, a fountain and a patio that goes all the way up along with the service complex covered with screen shutters that guarantee the privacy between all the apartments. Each unit has about 35 sq m divided in dining and living room, kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom.
The interior of each unit is neutral in contrast with the different pink color accents in the halls, the lobby and the stairs. Color is also found in the common areas like the gym and the bicycles storage area. The same happens with the vegetation that is always present and stands out in the roof garden equipped with grill, relaxing areas, TV room and incredible views of the city day or night.
The desired objectives for this type of buildings were met, to recover the neighborhood while maintaining its structure intact, to repopulate the city center with housing according to the new occupation needs, to recover an alley and integrate it into its urban condition as a space for art and the culture and the inhabitants will be delighted with the inner result.
- Architect: Gerardo Boué – Boué Arquitectos
- Photographer: Marcos Betanzos
