Page 126 - AIT0722_E-Paper

WOHNEN • LIVING INNERE WERTE • INNER VALUES

Einbaumobiliar aus Holz schafft Stauraum und ... • Wooden furniture provides storage space and ...

Neuer TV-Bereich unter der jetzt steileren Treppe • New TV area under the now steeper stairs. ... Atmosphäre im nur 55 Quadratmeter großen Apartment. • Atmosphere in the flat of only 55 squaremeter.

U nder the government of Miguel Alemán Valdés (1946–1952), Mexico experienced metre condominium for a couple with two sons. The family has lived here for 15 years,
having inherited the flat from the father’s parents. As their children grew up, the floor
an economic miracle known as the Milagro mexicano. Mexico City was (already)
growing fast, housing was scarce and expensive. In 1947, the state realised an entire plan no longer corresponded to their needs. There was a lack of privacy and storage
housing block to combat the housing shortage: the social housing ensemble Centro space. The kitchen and dining room were on the only 12-square-metre entrance level.
Urbano Presidente Aleman, or Cupa for short. Architect Mario Pani, who was 36 The 43-square-metre floor below – a single open space – contained three beds, TV, sofa,
years old at the time and had studied architecture in France and Mexico, won the bicycles, many boxes and a separate bathroom. The floors, walls, doors and windows
competition. Pani introduced the international style to Mexico with the Cupa. The were showing their age. The architects made the staircase shorter and steeper to gain
complex with 1,080 flats was completed in only two years. It comprises nine 13-sto- space on the entrance level. This made it possible to create a new dining area, a new
rey flat blocks – seven of which are connected in a zigzag pattern – and six three-sto- kitchen, a laundry room and a bicycle depot. The space under the stairs can now be
rey buildings. The ground floors provide the urban infrastructure – shops, schools, used as a TV area. Pavel Escobedo and Andres Soliz provided privacy and storage space
sports facilities – complemented by generous open spaces. Mario Pani developed with wooden wall units. Built-in wardrobes, shelves, desks, bunk beds, kitchen furni-
five typologies of flats, ranging in size from 48 to 76 square metres and designed as ture, bench and wall panelling made of inexpensive MDF with a Coabilla veneer give
maisonettes. Most residential blocks are accessed by arcades. Living on two levels the flat a valuable and homogeneous appearance. In the interplay with the concrete sur-
means that arcades are only needed on every third floor. To allow light and air to faces, which have been freed from plaster and are now bare or painted white again,
enter the deep volumes, Pani grouped four flats around a common light and air well. and the white terrazzo, formerly dark linoleum, the wood unfolds its special charm. The
built-in furniture takes account of the different heights of the concrete beams. The woo-
New needs – new zoning den shelves in the niches of the children’s room take up Clara Porsett’s furniture propo-
sals from 1947. To bring in more light, some walls at the light and air well were replaced
In favour of maximum flexibility, the original floor plans did without load-bearing walls, with glass blocks. The architects also redesigned the bathroom and had the original
but had a modular concrete structure consisting of beams and columns. However, this doors and windows restored. This project was realised with a tight budget of around
open-plan layout is not suitable for all phases of life. The young architecture firm Esco- 17,250 euros. The conversion was made possible by a government loan of 25,000 euros
bedoSoliz, founded in 2016, was therefore entrusted with the conversion of a 55-square- for improvements in social housing from the national housing authority Infonavit.

126 • AIT 7/8.2022