The Concept

This project began by investigating the spatial idea of the bundled tube, a cluster of square section tubes that intersect and interweave with each other, and the cultural idea of the architectural character of Mexico City. The buildings surrounding our site embody the homogeneity of the international style - once an indicator of the modern city, but now sorely lacking in individuality. Our aim was to create a unique building that would contrast strongly with this context, giving the area the distinctive character it deserves. Formally, our building is divided into three parts: the base where the tubes are independent; the middle where these parts are animated and introduce movement and vitality, throwing its posture; and the top where the separate elements merge together and lose any individuality.

The project is interested in the idea of the misregistration of edges and surfaces. By introducing different shades of colors on one side or another, we articulated the projection of the tubes to create a misreading of the depth in the project. Depth can be created pulling the floor back from the facade or through actual physical voids in between the tubes. The orthogonal projection of the mullions make the edges fuzzy and jagged, while the rooms inside add another dimension to the perception of depth from the exterior. The dynamic form and the misregistration of the tubes creates a strong contrast between the tower and its adjacent buildings, while the varying depth effects make the reading of the facade ambiguous, creating another break between the building’s appearance and its internal functions.

In collaboration with : Kazuhiro Okamoto