Rojkind Arquitectos

The Rojkind Arquitectos are an architecture firm located in Mexico. Their work is breath taking. Most of their work can be seen in Mexico DF, however one of their most impressive high-rise buildings was constructed in China. Rojkind Arquitectos' main value is to "give back" to the community and the land. They aspire to bring people and nature together. All of their completed projects have many windows to bring a natural element to the rooms.

Huaxi City Center in China

Please make sure you answer the poll questions at the top of this blog. Polling will add an interactive element to this blog.

I believe that most people would prefer to live in a house over an apartment or condo. Houses provide lots of space, a back yard, and ample parking! What if an apartment could provide those same elements? That is what the Rojkind firm will create in High Park, Monterrey!

The Rojkind Architects said "people enjoy the convenience of a house for its connection to a garden, or exterior spaces, which normally apartments lack. By having a project which integrates, not only terraces but real gardens even at the upper levels, we have achieved an experience unique to Monterrey."

The above video takes you on a tour all around the property. It shows the balcony gardens and luxurious amenities included in this building.

The idea surrounding this innovative creation is that luxury, city living, and nature can all exist harmoniously. With all big cities, there is pressure to use every square inch of land and cram people into apartments like sardines in a can. The Rojkind architects chose quality over quantity when designing this building. They tailored this plan for people that can afford to pay a little bit more for their unique design. This building is ten stories above ground and three stories below ground. The below ground stories serve as a parking garage for the building. The first two ground floors are for mixed retail use and the top eight floors are strictly residential- including a spa and gym for residents. Each apartment has access to a small garden and lots of windows that unite the inhabitants with nature. This property is an oasis that stands out amongst the other housing complexes in Monterrey that chose quantity of inhabitants over quality of design.

Rojkind also considered the natural environment of Monterrey when designing this building. They noted on their website "to counterbalance the strong sun, the floor plates shift in relation to one another creating a play of light and shadow, and the use of local stone, done by local craftsmen on the facade allows the building to stay cooler and makes its appearance change as the sun moves across the horizon."

The architects plan on using natural stone for the masonery to help retain heat during cold months and retain cold during hot months. This will provide better climate control for the residents living in such an extreme environment. Monterrey is one of Mexico's most developed cities. During the summer, Monterrey can reach temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for over three months. With local stones, the building can retain cool winter temperatures and then release the coolness during the hot summer days. The rocks will then cool off over night and start the process all over again. This building will still need air-conditioning but their electricity bill will be less expensive than comparable buildings without the use of natural stones.

This project will break grounds this summer. Stay tuned for more updates!

Cuadra San Cristobal

If you have been following this blog closely, you may have noticed that I can appreciate classical, beautiful, timeless architecture. I can appreciate the symmetry and form of modern architecture but usually it does not speak to me. Unless it is pink!

I was thumbing through an old Architectural Digest magazine when I came across the real estate listing pages. I still need a few years in a very successful career before I think about purchasing something from these pages but hey, a girl can dream! One listing that caught my eye is called the Cuadra San Cristobal. This gorgeous house was built as an equestrian estate in 1968 by Mexican architect Luis Barragan. This house is a bargain at $12.4 million! Who wants to split the mortgage?

Luis Barragan was born in 1902 and studied to be an engineer. He secretly attended classes to fulfill his dream job- becoming an architect. Barragan was taught and heavily influenced by Le Corbusier. They both are classified under modern architects for their straight lines, symmetry, and bold new ways. Barragan strived for serenity in his designs. He did not want to build homes, he wanted to build sanctuaries. Barragan has been honored by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and received the second Pritzker prize. According to their website, Pritzker prizes are awarded "honoring living architects whose built work demonstrates a combination of those qualities of talent, vision, and commitment, which has produced consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment through the art of architecture." (http://www.pritzkerprize.com/) Barragan passed away in 1988 but continues to inspire other architects to this day.

Let's dig into the architectural feel of this property. I believe that Barragan built this property as a summer ranch/weekend getaway for a chic and trendy family. The straight planes and bright colors make me think of trendy neighborhoods such as LA. In fact, one can view houses in LA that are very similar to Cuadra San Cristobal. Perhaps this family was native to LA or frequently traveled there.

This house has four bedrooms, five and one half bedrooms, 2,800 square feet and sits on seven acres. It even includes stables and a track for caring for equestrian friends. 

Let's look at balance within this estate. Cuadra San Cristobal's colors distinguish it from nature greatly while at the same instance existing harmoniously. The clean cut walls are very natural and completely fit the surrounding landscape. This is a place where nature and civilization coexist. One symbol of this is the existence of two swimming pools- one for the humans and one for the horses.

Make special note of the fountain used at this residence. This fountain is a Barragan trademark according to Architectural Digest.