Located in Polanco, a residential district in Mexico City, this four-story building with three apartments is organized around three
different types of gardens. The first garden, lying between the building and
the street, is reserved for public activities, the second is a private patio at
the back of the building and the third is a central courtyard that functions as
a semi-public zone. From each floor, the central courtyard gives way to an
indoor view, providing natural light and space to walk freely around the
apartment.
The building form was influenced by the local height regulations. We
built the front fa�ade up to three stories and were able to include a fourth
floor in the back half of the building. To add interest to the plan and to break
up the fa�ade, we made triangular cuts into each of the levels. This allowed us
to create double height interior spaces that protrude into the adjacent apartments
and are articulated on the fa�ade.
The interior distribution of program is concentrated in four blocks
bordering the central courtyard. The bedrooms in the back of the building open
onto the private patio, while the living spaces are located toward the front, on
the other side of the courtyard. In plan, these two areas are linked by service
zones that form the remaining sides of the courtyard. With an extra level in
the back, the top apartment can access a rooftop terrace that looks onto the
street and several existing trees.