Row House

Written by Omar Dahabra

Location: Puebla, Mexico
Year: 2024
Architects: Ricardo Salazar Studio
Photography by: Patrick López Jaimes

Row House addresses the improvement of a late 20th- and early 21st-century single-family home, spanning 290 m² across two levels. The intervention posed an architectural challenge, conditioned by the building's dimensions, its commercial-residential character, and the regulatory restrictions on its facade. As a row house with standardized spaces, it was necessary to reconfigure the interior from a holistic perspective. In the current context, where land is increasingly inaccessible, and building from scratch becomes both unfeasible and ethically questionable, renewing even the ordinary or marginal becomes a critical stance. This is not a nostalgic action but a process of rewriting the existing with new meanings. Reusing is not recycling; it is resisting planned obsolescence. Sustainability here is not merely a label, but rather a mindset: radical, cultural, and essential.

From the outset, the process was complex. The house had a rigid layout, organized around fixed furniture and schemes designed for a generic user, responding to a commercial logic focused on efficiency and standardization typical of mass production. Profit-driven functionality is prioritized over the uniqueness of living. In response to this condition, the project aimed to break away from this uniformity through decisions that allowed for reimagining the space. The volume of interior demolition was significant, in order to adapt the house to new dynamics, maximize natural light, and improve ventilation. The structure was reinforced with metal supports, replacing some load-bearing walls on both levels. To achieve visual and spatial continuity, the local flooring supplier initially proposed prefabricated terrazzo and concrete pieces. After favorable evaluation, the choice was made to use site-cast ready-mix concrete for all interior surfaces. Black terrazzo was specified for the social areas, "Ukrainian" gray for the bathrooms (including wainscoting and monolithic pieces), and exposed concrete for the bedrooms.

The metal pieces were cleaned with degreaser and water, without removing the protective zinc chromate coating. The finish involved applying a high-solid, two-component polyurethane mixture with a slight metallic tint adjusted to the tone of the plate, subtly darkening the protective film and creating uniformity across the surface. The blue staircase, assembled on-site in five parts, was highlighted as a focal point, with joints concealed using techniques similar to automotive sheet metal work. The carpentry, also locally manufactured, used white oak and solid oak, contrasted with stainless steel surfaces with a polished finish, adding warmth, texture, and a subtle shine. In dialogue with these materials, lighting played a key role: tonal variations created unique atmospheres, using light not only to illuminate but also as a narrative tool.

Throughout the process, a deeper understanding of the specific needs of the project developed, leading to a proposal based on flexibility, the pursuit of timeless architecture, and an emotional connection with the users. The conversion was not limited to a simple functional adaptation but represented a true opportunity to transform the essence of the space through subtle yet meaningful movements, infused with more positive content. This transformation allowed for the reinterpretation of the underlying values of the original structure, revitalizing elements deemed obsolete and activating unnoticed areas, fostering greater fluidity, connection, and openness between the different uses of the space. Text description by the architects.

Source: www.ricardosalazarstudio.com
Structural Engineer: Consultoría Integral Fr.
Woodworking Specialist: Studio Scena
Concrete Elements and Terrazzo: Concrete Workshop Mexico
Glazing Work: Cantemp

Omar Dahabra
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