Zoncuantla Apartments by Rafael Pardo Arquitectos

Architect’s statement: The project is located in the tropical cloud forest along the old highway between Xalapa and Coatepec, in a terrain of remarkably beautiful panoramas. With a polygonal shape in proportion with the slope of the lot, the design seeks to emphasize these views for all of the apartments and to promote the contemplation of the environment.

The building stands on 760 square meters of land (8180 square feet), and leaves over half of the estate as green space, while using roofs as terraces and further green space. The parking lot is paved with concrete lattices to minimize the impact of vehicles.

Four apartments make up the complex. The ground floor apartment dialogues with a garden that contains native, endemic vegetation, while the upper levels obtain panoramic views of the surroundings through terraces that amplify the social space. On each of its levels, the project creates playful treks between public and private spaces.

The apartments total 470 square meters of construction (5059 square feet), aiming to optimizing space while creating a play between different atmospheres. Materially, the project alludes to wood, adobe, clay, and earth tones.