Mini-Studio in Colonia Del Valle, Mexico by FRENTEarquitectura

Article source: FRENTEarquitectura

Using trapezoidal shapes and with a careful control of perspective, vanishing points are emphasized, achieving a dynamic and fluid space that awakens imagination while stimulating creativity. This Mini-Studio, limited to only 27sqm of footprint, is nested in a small gap originally occupied by a storage-room (between 3 existing constructions), in the backyard of a middle-class house in Mexico City.

Exterior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

• Architect: FRENTEarquitectura
• Name of the Project: Mini-Studio
• Location: Colonia Del Valle, Mexico City, Mexico
• Typology: Studio (art workshop)
• Constructed Area: 48 sqm
• Photographs: Paul Czitrom, Onnis Luque

Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque

• Footprint (plot size): 27sqm
• Design Year: 2010
• Construction Year: 2011
• Architectural Design: Juan Pablo Maza
• Project Team: Daniel Nava, Estefanía Hoth
• Building System: Traditional low cost building system

Interior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

Being an art workshop and due to the south orientation of the site, the main challenge was to avoid the entry of direct sunlight into the space, without cancelling the view towards the garden.

To achieve this, the upper-level volume thrusts itself southward to project its shadow over the large (ground-floor) window that connects the studio with the exterior.

The sloped roof slabs block away the sun rays from the working area, allowing the subtle entrance of uniform light over the double-height ceilings which communicate both levels, amplifying the scale.

Interior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

The mezzanine gently rests over a wall at the back of the studio and launches itself towards the exterior dissolving the outline marked by the floor, to end suspended over the garden integrating it to the space. At the same time, the ground-floor glazed door, opens from side to side to completely vanish the border between interior and exterior.

A small gesture at the top of the façade produces a size changing triangular shadow throughout the day, providing movement to the volume.

Front View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

FRENTEarquitectura

Is a Mexican architectural practice formed by young profesionals whose main goal is to create innovative and “Responsable Architecture”, respons-able meant as the “ability to respond” (to give a clever answer to a specific need).

They prioritize the analysis of the specific circumstances of each project (place, people and time) over the creative activity, thus to be able to establish the real needs to be fulfilled.

In FRENTE they generate simple architecture, of clear shapes and strong concepts, giving each project its own character.

FRENTE was considered in 2009 as the national young architectural practice with more future projection (year 4, Num. 22, January, Revista Ambientes, Editorial Expansión, México)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

Juan Pablo Maza

Born in Mexico City in 1974. In 1997 he graduated with a degree in architecture and urbanism at Universidad Iberoamericana where he is now a lecturer.

His work has been exhibited in many venues such as the “Centre of Architecture” in New York (2005), the “Venice Biennale” in Italy (2008), “Art Basel” in Switzerland (2009), “MARQ: Museo de Arquitectura y Diseño” in Buenos Aires – Argentina (2010), and the “BAL-11” in Pamplona – Spain (2011).

Interior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

Along the years he has collaborated with several artists, such as Jorge Yazpik or Adán Paredes. In 2006, he won the contest for the expansion of the Experimental Museum “El Eco” (by Mathias Goeritz) in collaboration with Fernando Romero and in 2009 he received an Honorable Mention for the design of a monument for the Bicentennial Memorial of the Independence of México.

Since 2002 he is the director of “FRENTEarquitectura” advocated to create innovative and “Responsible Architecture” with the intention of improving the quality of life.

Interior View (Images Courtesy Paul Czitrom and Onnis Luque)

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Tags: Colonia Del Valle, Mexico

Categories: House, Studio

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