To avoid demolition and the transportation of the remains, ART Arquitectos worked in the renovation of a functionalist building in the Cuauhtémoc district in Mexico City. The building used to be a language school with 2 and 3 levels. For the new corporate offices, additions were made to even the 3 levels needed for the company.
The building had originally an L shape patio that was modified, to suit the new requirements, resulting in two structures that generated two inside patios that give extra natural light and ventilation to the interiors of the building. One of these patios has a grand tree, which was already in the premises giving a luxurious shade; the other has a relaxing fountain that runs on a round stone wall that ends in a water mirror.
The ambiance is sober, highlighting the corporate colors; art works has been included at the end of the corridors to change the orthogonal direction. These panels have graphic art and embossed text in the same materials and portrait the company’s philosophy
Installations are state-of-the-art and ecology oriented technologies. The lighting is low consumption and high efficiency, with presence and temperature sensors. There are also rain collectors with filters for secondary use, water free urinals and natural ventilation systems by convection around the patios, to minimize the use of air conditioning, used exclusively for the closed areas.
Very few materials were used, porcelain and wood for floors, paint and some wood covers for the walls, sliding glass divisions with exposed mechanisms in stainless steel. The latest generation office furniture was selected with LEED certification and upholstery in red wine color leather. The lighting is warm achieved by compact fluorescence low consumption lamps, for the working areas, Master Color for the accent spots and halogen as filling.
