diagrama restores historical residential building with central patio in mexico

in an attempt to spark a discrete and respectful dialogue between historical and contemporary, diagram arquitectos introduces ‘casa pedro’, a residential restoration of an early-20th century building in guadalajara, mexico. the project was completed as part of a large-scale urban reactivation plan for the city’s historic center, with the refurbished housing complex playing an important role in the re-densification of the area, which is partially unoccupied and revitalized. 

all images by césar béjar 

the restoration by diagrama respects and preserves all the pre-existing doors and windows that divided the home, while the new annex was placed in the part of the terrace that is less visible. in this way, the architects avoided modifying the original circulations and central patio, which functions as the heart of the project.  

six residential units are allocated within the complex; four within the original building and two in the annex. the typologies include smaller dwellings designed to accommodate one person or a couple, as well as larger establishments that are able to house families.

respecting the project’s original distribution, diagrama arquitectos ensured that each apartment unit within the heritage house is unique. both of the units located in the annex function as open-plan lofts. on the rooftop, a green space adds to the building’s shared-use areas. 

project info: 

name: casa pedro  

architecture office: diagrama arquitectos 

real estate developer: huella desarrollos

location: pedro moreno 1047. guadalajara, jalisco, mexico 

built area: 525 m2