Ferrocarril De Cuernavaca 780

HEMAA

Short description

It seemed to indicate that this very narrow property was destined to be a surplus space in the city. Trapped between a narrow street and the old Cuernavaca Railroad tracks, it was hard to imagine that a slender tower would be built there, capable of adapting to the constraints of the terrain with agility, like one of those plants that grow in the most adverse conditions and the most unexpected way.
Formally speaking, the building is the result of the analysis and reinterpretation of the assembly of classical architecture, the study of its aesthetic proportions and the incorporation of golden sections, the constructive understanding of steel, concrete and glass in modern architecture, and the response to the conditions of the terrain. Its volumetry is configured by basement, shaft and capital, evidencing its character from the different modulations and sizes of gates, and its structural façade appears as the obvious answer to solve the need to free the plants from interior obstructions. This constructive approach in turn generates modules that make the use of space efficient and organizes its facades, which, delimited by a purely urban context, are almost entirely glazed with the intention of capturing the greatest amount of natural lighting and connecting the building with its surroundings.
Architecturally, the building has two symmetrical entrances on the North and South façades on the ground floor, a distribution that provides continuity to the pedestrian flow and visually connects the street with the recently completed linear park, two parking booths that are assisted by a robot with system of pallets, two service centers with elevators, stairs, bathrooms and facilities, and a space for commercial use with terraces. On standard levels, this program is simplified by keeping only the service cores and on level 13 the interior area is reduced and a terrace is included whose view opens up and shows us the skyline of the City up to Chapultepec Park. Under the sidewalk there are warehouses for all the tenants, cleaning and maintenance rooms and the spaces necessary for the proper functioning and operation of the building, including the robotic parking honeycomb with capacity for 126 drawers distributed in 13 levels, a solution used due to the limited site conditions and local requirements and regulations.
Its heavy materiality of steel reminds us of the industrial past of this area that was once peripheral, today renovated and turned into one of the districts with the greatest cultural, economic and infrastructure development in recent years within Mexico City. This same past resonates in the name of the building, which with its sound force places the tower on one side of the old train tracks. Rationality, order and care of proportions are considered as the principles that govern this project.
In addition to its historical significance, the choice of steel as the predominant material in the building's structure is of great importance in addressing the unique challenges posed by Mexico City regulations. As a seismically active region, the city's building codes require structures to have robust systems capable of withstanding strong earthquakes. To address this challenge and ensure the highest level of structural integrity, the project was developed in a collaborative effort with leading structural designers recognized for their expertise in projects of this scale.
Without clashing with its surroundings, the building presents an unrepeatable shape. Shape that, depending on where and when it is looked at, changes for the observer, acquiring different readings from each other. Its strong identity offers an optimal environment for the tower to develop a life of its own once it is inhabited. Technology and architecture are intertwined to compose a flexible system, capable of guaranteeing an efficient use of energy and resources.
Cuernavaca Railway 780 has LEED certification. Energy efficiency measures such as air chamber glass, high-efficiency lighting and advanced climate control systems ensure optimal use of energy and a reduction in carbon emissions. Strategies such as rainwater harvesting and low-consumption sanitary fixtures contribute to a significant reduction in water consumption.
Indoor environmental quality is a priority, naturally lit spaces and effective air renewal promote the health and well-being of its occupants. Similarly, the building's design fosters a connection with its surroundings by incorporating large windows, a garden terrace on the top level, and outdoor meeting areas that enhance the overall user experience.