Completed in 2022, COA arquitectura masterfully transformed an existing house into a contemporary law firm office. The innovative design cleverly repurposes the pre-existing patio, turning it into a semi-open waiting room and reception area that establishes a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Emphasizing the preservation of the original architectural elements, the design skillfully combines materials such as volcanic stone, steel, and wood, cultivating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the office.
CP42 Offices Technical Information
- Architects1-3: COA arquitectura
- Location: Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
- Topics: Renovation
- Area: 420 m2
- Project Year: 2022
- Photographs: © César Béjar Studio
The steel delimits the interior windows and partitions, and at the same time is the protagonist element on the outside intervention. The steel lattices and guardrails remodulate the façades, they were painted the same color as the walls and ceilings to provide a gesture of monochromatism that tries to blur the house in order to give importance to the pirul trees and the welcome ramp.
– COA architects
CP42 Offices Photographs
Text by the Architects
The commission consisted of remodeling a house already intervened in offices for a law firm.
The only pre-existing patio is used as a semi-open view for the waiting room and reception. It is accessed directly from the street through a ramp with a volcanic stone floor, which enters the offices and covers both the ground and upper floor, unifying the place and serving as a base for the furniture and the other elements that confine the different spaces.
Priority is given to the lobby delimiting it between an existing wall, translucent glass screen, furniture, and the original staircase that is covered with wood to close the view of the upper floor.
The program is solved by locating the meeting rooms, workplaces, and guard rooms on the ground floor. The main meeting room and open workspace overlook the patio and are enclosed with a translucent glass screen.
On the upper floor, the skylight is used to illuminate workstations divided by wood or glass partitions, and in the original rooms, there are two more workstations and private offices.
All the walls and ceilings are covered with a fine-colored plaster texture to give the volcanic stone floor a warm atmosphere to the place. The furniture is designed with the same criteria of structure and materiality, in steel and wood, looking for harmony and simplicity.
The steel delimits the interior windows and partitions and, at the same time, is the protagonist element of the outside intervention. The steel lattices and guardrails re-modulate the façades; they were painted the same color as the walls and ceilings to provide a gesture of monochromatism that tries to blur the house in order to give importance to the pirul trees and the welcome ramp.
CP42 Offices Plans
CP42 Offices Image Gallery
About COA arquitectura
COA arquitectura, a distinguished Mexican architecture firm based in Guadalajara, skillfully combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create innovative, sustainable, and contextually relevant spaces. The studio’s dedication to experimentation with materials and construction techniques, coupled with a deep connection to local culture and heritage, results in unique and functional designs that enhance the quality of life for communities. With a diverse portfolio ranging from residential and commercial projects to public and cultural spaces, COA arquitectura is committed to architectural excellence and social responsibility while actively participating in the global architectural community through collaborations, research, and educational initiatives.
Works from COA arquitectura
- Lead Architect: Arch. Francisco Gutierrez Peregrina
- Construction: Fabrica edificación
- Collaborators: Arch. Tania Robles Lomelín, Ing. Carlos Pérez Martínez, Arch. Juan Pablo Pérez Cuétara
