Infonavit Redensification

Saltillo, Mexico

Envisioned as an urban villa, this project does a lot with a little. Five units and a commercial space combine to invigorate an existing community. The storefront is set back from the sidewalk and covered overhead to create a public space from the building form, making an inviting street-front connected to its neighborhood. All of the units are designed to appear bigger than they really are – higher ceilings help to achieve this. Four of the units are two stories with an internal stair, expanding the volume for living. Each unit has balconies or a courtyard for further expansion while maintaining a sense of privacy for each apartment. Here, making a public space at the sidewalk becomes a way of making vibrant neighborhoods to support the accompanying urban growth.