Located between two significant public spaces in Mexico City—the Fuente de Cibeles and Parque España—Oaxaca 88 is within the Condesa neighborhood, an area known for its rich architectural history and tree-lined avenues. This setting presents opportunities and constraints, requiring an architectural response that engages with the existing urban grain while contributing a contemporary perspective on mixed-use housing.
Oaxaca 88 Technical Information
- Architects1-9: CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños
- Interior Design: IP STUDIO / Ivanka V Pichardo
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Total Built Area: 2,444 m² | 25,000 Sq. Ft.
- Plot Size: 27m x 15m (Irregular Shape)
- Completion Year: 2024
- Photographs: © Ricardo de la Concha
The building adheres to a strict modulation system guided by the structural framework, which is reflected throughout the project: in its materiality, interiors, and facade treatments.
-Bernardo Quinzaños, CCA
Oaxaca 88 Photographs
Spatial Organization and Housing Typologies
The irregular plot (27m x 15m) dictated a design strategy that maximizes spatial efficiency while preserving openness. Instead of a monolithic mass, the architects opted for two distinct volumes connected by a central vertical circulation core. This division achieves multiple objectives: it enhances cross-ventilation, optimizes daylight access, and creates a clear organizational logic within the building. The design’s sensitivity to context is evident in its treatment of the street interface, where a commercial space anchors the ground level, fostering pedestrian engagement and reinforcing urban continuity.
Oaxaca 88 comprises 26 residential units ranging from 38m² to 117m², with the largest reserved for the penthouse. The project’s spatial logic is governed by modular organization, which informs the plan and elevation. The dual-volume strategy ensures that all units benefit from northern or southern exposure, an essential consideration in a city with pronounced solar gain.
Within this framework, efficiency is paramount. The units employ adaptable layouts, with multi-functional furniture seamlessly integrated to maximize space. For instance, storage elements are designed to double as partitions, maintaining openness while delineating different functions. Expansive balconies and terraces extend the interior spaces outward, reinforcing a sense of transparency that mitigates the constraints of high-density living.
Circulation is deliberately structured to foster both privacy and connectivity. The central core functions as the project’s spine, ensuring precise vertical movement while separating front and rear volumes. This organization results in a legible, rational distribution of spaces, where each unit maintains a direct relationship with the exterior.
Oaxaca 88 Materiality and Tectonic Expression
Oaxaca 88’s material language is defined by its use of exposed concrete, a decision that underscores both structural clarity and aesthetic intent. The project adheres to a strict structural grid that manifests across all scales, from facade articulation to interior detailing. This modulation is particularly evident on the northern facade, where two large concrete panels frame the apartments, creating a subtle yet deliberate rhythm that echoes the internal configuration.
The modulation shifts to three sections on the rear facade, accommodating basement parking while maintaining coherence across levels. This approach reinforces the project’s tectonic clarity, ensuring its structural logic remains legible in both plan and elevation.
While concrete dominates the material palette, it is complemented by elements that introduce warmth and tactility. Light wood is used for interior joinery, offering a counterpoint to the rawness of concrete surfaces. In circulation areas, gray-toned natural stone provides a durable yet refined texture, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on longevity and material honesty.
Externally, green ironwork elements are a chromatic bridge between the building and its natural surroundings. This subtle yet effective intervention demonstrates an awareness of the broader visual environment, ensuring that the building remains integrated rather than imposing.
Broader Architectural Significance
Oaxaca 88 contributes to the ongoing discourse on urban housing in Mexico City, where issues of density, affordability, and contextual integration remain pressing. By prioritizing spatial efficiency without compromising quality, the project offers a viable model for high-density residential developments that maintain livability.
The dual-volume configuration challenges conventional approaches to apartment block design, advocating for a more nuanced response to site conditions. This strategy enhances environmental performance and underscores the importance of adaptive spatial planning in contemporary urban housing.
While Oaxaca 88 does not explicitly position itself as a sustainability-driven project, its design incorporates several passive strategies contributing to environmental efficiency. The separation of volumes facilitates natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. The choice of exposed concrete serves as both structure and finish, minimizing the need for additional cladding materials and reducing embodied carbon.
Moreover, integrating vegetation at street level and within private terraces enhances microclimatic conditions, softening the interface between built and natural environments. These strategies, though subtle, align with broader efforts to create more resilient and adaptable urban living spaces.
Oaxaca 88 Plans
Oaxaca 88 Image Gallery
About CCA
CCA (Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica) is an architectural firm founded by Bernardo Quinzaños, known for its innovative approach to contemporary architecture in Mexico. The studio focuses on context-driven design, material honesty, and structural clarity, often integrating sustainable and modular strategies into its projects. Their work spans residential, commercial, and cultural architecture, emphasizing spatial efficiency and urban integration.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Architect: Bernardo Quinzaños (CCA | Bernardo Quinzaños)
- Interior Design: Ivanka V Pichardo (IP STUDIO)
- Collaborating Team Members: Victor Zúñiga, Keren Espinoza
- Client: Grupo Blackloft
- Construction Company: Abisal Construcciones
- Residential Units: 26 apartments (Smallest unit: 38 m², Largest unit: 117 m² – Penthouse)
- Commercial Space: Ground-floor retail adjacent to pedestrian and vehicular access
- Circulation: Central vertical core connecting two separate volumes
- Parking: Basement level with designated modular grid layout
