Corazón de Tierra: collective living with a flavour of resin and earth

A high-density residential complex in sunny Mérida affirms its identity by focusing on climatic well-being and recovering the local building tradition.

Under the glaring Mexican sun near the city of Mérida, P11 arquitectos has built a high-density residential project to meet the pressing demand for homes in the area.

To counter the risk of excessive impact caused by the imposing volume required to house 54 flats, the studio designed 4 separate buildings distributed around the public communal areas, according to a clear, efficient layout based on two main distribution axes: the transversal axis connecting the entrance with the collective area with its swimming pool and shaded areas and the longitudinal axis running along the private fronts and overlooked by the stairs leading to the upper floors.

P11 arquitectos, Corazón de Tierra, Fraccionamiento Chablekal, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 2020. Photo: Eduardo Calvo Santisbon
P11 arquitectos, Corazón de Tierra, Fraccionamiento Chablekal, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 2020. Photo: Eduardo Calvo Santisbon

Thanks to the layout of the plan, the complex is ventilated from the north and east by natural cross-ventilation to counter the hot temperatures in the area; all the flats face north/south to guarantee the benefits of ventilation in the interiors as well.

The outer façades, intended almost as bulwarks protecting intimate, reserved living, are characterised by irregularly arranged vertical slit openings which interrupt the solid continuity of the walls; the inner façades are characterised by a stone wall which acts as the base and common denominator of the composition.

Local construction techniques can be seen in the use of traditional materials chosen for their durability and minimal need for maintenance: excavated stone from the construction site is used in the wall marking the interior distribution; chukum - a stucco based on limestone and resin from the chukum tree, endemic to Yucatan - mixed with red earth (kancab) on the residential façades and an unmixed version in the public spaces.

P11 arquitectos, Corazón de Tierra, Fraccionamiento Chablekal, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 2020. Photo: Eduardo Calvo Santisbon
P11 arquitectos, Corazón de Tierra, Fraccionamiento Chablekal, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 2020. Photo: Eduardo Calvo Santisbon

It is a way of affirming, though in an openly contemporary language, a strong local identity and an indissoluble bond with the Mexican land.

Project:
Corazón de Tierra
Architectural project:
P11 arquitectos
Project leader:
Arturo Carrillo Ponce
Collaborators:
Alfonso Rosado, Rocío Suarez, Manuel Tello, Elsy Uribe, Aide Chi, Alejandra Toledo
Construction:
Capetillo Proyectos S.A De C.V
Finish materials:
Boxito (illuminazioni, pavimentazioni), Elemetic (acciaio)

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