Completed in 2022 by architect Miguel de la Torre, the Real de los Reyes residential project masterfully combines functionality, aesthetics, and adaptability to meet the ever-changing demands of modern urban living. Nestled in a historic neighborhood in southern Mexico City, this innovative design skillfully preserves the area’s traditional essence while revitalizing a deteriorating property into a vibrant multifamily residence. The architectural program centers around creating spaces that accommodate daily activities while promoting tranquility, privacy, and delight. By emphasizing passive energy strategies and modular construction, the building presents a distinct and sustainable solution for enhancing the quality of life in this dynamic metropolis.
Real de los Reyes Residences Technical Information
- Architects1: Miguel de la Torre mta+v
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Topics: Red in Architecture, Colored Concrete
- Area: 2541 m²
- Project Year: 2022
- Photographs: © Rafael Gamo
The architectural program is based at its core around the daily activities in the home; given the change in post-pandemic routines, spaces have been considered that are not only comfortable and functional but also integrate moments of silence, lighting, privacy, and joy.
– Miguel de la Torre Arquitectos
Real de los Reyes Residences Photographs
Text by the Architects
The project’s architect proposes a functional and aesthetically outstanding building with a well-defined appearance, exposing mass and materiality in a solution that personalizes the home. The architectural program is based at its core around the daily activities in the house; given the change in post-pandemic routines, spaces have been considered that are comfortable and functional and integrate moments of silence, lighting, privacy, and joy. Additionally, interior spaces were designed to contribute to having contemplative spaces. Through the design, a field of vision has been created that, in addition to imparting beautiful atmospheres with the evidence of architectural elements, separates the spatiality and property of the users from others.
The project is located in one of the most traditional neighborhoods, founded at the beginning of the 17th century in the southern part of Mexico City, characterized by being a well-planned area initially with single-family housing. The architect generated added value and encouraged the current habitability of a property that was in clear decline at the time of acquiring the site. A multifamily home was designed on a pedestrian scale, considering the car as a complement but not allowing space for common coexistence; it becomes a community in a neighborhood that welcomes new architecture under an analysis of contemporary urban life.
The design intention was to preserve the use of the land in the area, conserving and respecting the heights allowed by city regulations. The project’s objective was to improve the quality of life without overloading the land’s density use. Although the proposal is atypical for the site, it became an option offering quality and beauty while serving as a new landmark in the neighborhood.
The building was designed to be modular, based on the complete construction and structure of orange-tinted concrete. It was designed with a passive energy strategy leveraging natural lighting and cross ventilation, connecting each house’s spaces and their corresponding open spaces (lighting cubes and patios). The lighting design is simple but sufficient for the necessary level of comfort.
Real de los Reyes Residences Plans
Real de los Reyes Residences Image Gallery
About Miguel de la Torre Arquitectos
MT Arquitectos is a leading Mexican architecture firm established in November 2002 through the merger of MTC Arquitectos and ARQME, two practices that had been collaborating since 1989. Directed by architect Miguel de la Torre Carrillo, the firm has built a strong reputation for its executive project development capabilities.
Works from Miguel de la Torre mta+v
- Lead Architects: Miguel de la Torre
