FRENTEarquitectura | mini-studio

in Architecture by editor — 7:28 am | May 16, 20120 comments

A small gesture at the top of the façade produces a size changing triangular shadow throughout the day, providing movement to the volume.

FRENTEarquitectura

Is a Mexican architectural practice formed by young profesionals whose main goal is to create innovative and “Responsable Architecture”, respons-able meant as the “ability to respond” (to give a clever answer to a specific need). They prioritize the analysis of the specific circumstances of each project (place, people and time) over the creative activity, thus to be able to establish the real needs to be fulfilled. In FRENTE they generate simple architecture, of clear shapes and strong concepts, giving each project its own character. FRENTE was considered in 2009 as the national young architectural practice with more future projection (year 4, Num. 22, January, Revista Ambientes, Editorial Expansión, México)

Juan Pablo Maza

Born in Mexico City in 1974. In 1997 he graduated with a degree in architecture and urbanism at Universidad Iberoamericana where he is now a lecturer. His work has been exhibited in many venues such as the “Centre of Architecture” in New York (2005), the “Venice Biennale” in Italy (2008), “Art Basel” in Switzerland (2009), “MARQ: Museo de Arquitectura y Diseño” in Buenos Aires – Argentina (2010), and the “BAL-11” in Pamplona – Spain (2011).

Along the years he has collaborated with several artists, such as Jorge Yazpik or Adán Paredes. In 2006, he won the contest for the expansion of the Experimental Museum “El Eco” (by Mathias Goeritz) in collaboration with Fernando Romero and in 2009 he received an Honorable Mention for the design of a monument for the Bicentennial Memorial of the Independence of México.

Since 2002 he is the director of “FRENTEarquitectura” advocated to create innovative and “Responsible Architecture” with the intention of improving the quality of life.

Location: Colonia Del Valle, Mexico City

Architect: FRENTEarquitectura

Name of the Project: Mini-Studio
Typology: Studio (art workshop)
Constructed Area: 48sqm
Footprint (plot size):27sqm
Design Year: 2010
Construction Year: 2011
Architectural Design: Juan Pablo Maza

Project Team: Daniel Nava, Estefanía Hoth
Photographs: Paul Czitrom, Onnis Luque

Building System
(Traditional low cost building system):

Structure

Reinforced concrete slab Foundation.
Load-bearing red brick walls confined with reinforced concrete elements.
Concrete slabs in mezzanine floor and roof.

Finishes
Floors: Epoxy coating (2-3mm Paint)
Ceiling: Gypsum plaster, finished with paint
Interior walls: Gypsum plaster, finished with paint
Exterior walls: Cement based plaster, finished with paint