Mexico-based Rojkind Arquitectos shared with us their project ‘High Park’, a 13,000 sqm mixed use building in Monterrey, Mexico. More images, a video, and the architect’s description after the break.
High Park is located on the outskirts of the northern city of Monterrey, Mexico. Surrounded by the Majestic Sierra Madre Oriental Range. The project is designed to take full advantage of its geographic location and to help mitigate the extreme climatic conditions.
As a recurring design concern for rojkind arquitectos and as a way of integrating the building into the pedestrian realm (giving back to the community), the building steps back to create an outdoor shaded space that can be enjoyed by the residents and visitors alike.
“Normally these types of building don’t allow for the creation of any public space, the entire site is developed with the intention of maximizing the most square footage for it’s commercial interest. This project takes a different approach by allowing its site not to be built in its entirely and provide public space that can be utilize by anyone” Gerardo Salinas, partner, rojkind arquitectos.
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 project offers outdoor terraces for each apartment due to the strict setback restrictions of the site, capitalizing on the views of the adjacent mountains.
“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.” Michel Rojkind, founding partner.
High Park consists of a total of ten levels above grade and three and a half levels of underground parking. The first two levels are for commercial retail, the remaining 8 levels for luxury apartments. Within these 8 residential levels, recreational and entertainment spaces will be provided for the residents including a pool, gym, spa, etc. These 32 apartments will range in size from 250 square meters to 650 square meters.
The Building as a Platform for Additional Creative Input Six local designers have been invited to make each apartment unique and appealing to different styles and different market segments. Each apartment has a different layout and configuration, offering a wide range of internal distributions from a one level apartment to a two-story apartment.
Construction will begin this summer.
Architects: Rojkind Architects Location: Monterrey, Mexico Design Principal: Michel Rojkind Principal: Gerardo Salinas Project Team: Alonso de la Fuente, Michelle López, Carlos Alberto Ríos, Yasser Salomón, Carlo María Ciampoli , Rafael Cedillo, Felip Navarro, Alejandro Argumedo, Hazael Ortiz, Andrea León Structural Engineer: Studio NYL M.E.P: Quantum Dseño Landscape: Entorno Taller de Paisaje Construction Area: 13,000 sqm Status: In Progress Design Date: 2010 Renders: rojkind arquitectos, Glessner Group
