catenary arches define 'venecia 20' housing complex by inca hernández in mexico city

‘venecia 20 (V20)’ by inca hernández proposes the restoration of a historical building from 1905 in mexico city’s colonia juarez area, and its transformation into a housing complex. the project takes into account the shift in our perception of the domestic environment since the coronavirus restrictions were introduced, and suggests new ways of living. in the renovated proposal, a series of catenary arches surround the main patio, while an open roof terrace is divided in a series of common areas.all images by studio navarro

‘the resilience of time in human beings in these difficult times has led to the transformation of architecture and our foundations as a society,’ notes architect inca hernández. ‘how is housing currently perceived after the events of this year? our home has the ability to be multisensory and to be multidisciplinary; it has led us to rethink new alternatives from our windows and a new perception of the city. this idea is part of the concept of V20 and how it leads us to reflect on identity from the family, neighborhood and community.’

‘V20’ sees the transformation of a historical building from 1905 in colonia juarez, where it is presumed that the renowned mexican poet and writer octavio paz was born. the project integrates three different architectural eras of the city: the porfiriato, the period from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when general porfirio díaz ruled mexico as president; mexican modernism; and the contemporaneity. as hernández notes, this is inspired by a fragment of a poem by octavio paz, which reads: ‘an edifice made of time: what was, what will be, what is.’

‘both past and present can be perceived at the interiors, achieving a new life through the recovery of the ruin,’ explains the mexico and venezuela-based architect. ‘the introspective spaces work for the new meaning of “family” in the new generations of young people who conceive the home as an art studio, office and room through isolation and a connection between light and silence.’

the interiors of the different apartments feature minimalist, bright spaces that seek to generate calmness and allow their inhabitants to perceive the city from the large windows and be connected from home. residents can also enjoy views towards the building’s main patio through sweeping catenary arches that honor the universal legacy of antoni gaudí. this patio is designed as a tribute to the architecture of the neighborhood and its historical evolution to modernity.