bosetti-desjardins proposes restoration of marble-clad historical building in mexico city

with a limited budget, new-york-based firm bosetti-desjardins envisions the restoration of the dilapidated façade of a building located at alvaro obregon 90 in mexico city. interpreting the site’s architectural history and context, the designers have partnered with local fabricators to repair the original marble and reposition it to expose the floor-to-ceiling glass, offering shade to the units below while granting sweeping views of the adjacent park.

bosetti-desjardins have decided to create a memorable graphic language in the building’s facade. the vertical, repetitive language of the mullion spacing and blinds is complemented with the unobtrusive steel guardrail — meant to mimic the blinds within the apartments. meanwhile, the material palette on the façade remains neutral and sophisticated, adding a new reading to the building within its context. 

stripped to its concrete skeleton, the interior pivots around a compact core of infrastructure, plumbing and services. the tight structural column spacing required a flexible open plan, accommodating spacious one and two-bedroom configurations across the unit without compromising on spatial efficiency. at the ground level, matte metal shutters echo the vertical blinds above. when fully opened, the restaurant and retail spill into the city, improving local street presence and foot traffic while remaining respectful of the building’s architectural character.

project info:

design: bosetti-desjardins

project name: alvaro obregon 90

location: mexico city, mexico

status: design phase

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom