two pink adobe volumes form PPAA's prototype for a social housing project in mexico

as part of a ‘housing laboratory‘ masterplanned by MOS, pérez palacios arquitectos asociados (PPAA) has designed 1 of 32 prototypes for low-cost dwellings in rural mexico. built on a site within the city of apan, the modest structure has been realized around the main objective of providing a home that meets the needs of residents while being appropriate to the climatic conditions. 

all images © rafael gamo

the house is composed by PPAA in two volumes, which effectively divide the private and public functions. the design has also been developed around the idea of a ‘progression scheme’ to afford adaptability. by building in modules it allows the units to be repeated, catering for changing or growing family needs. for the apan prototype, the social kitchen and living areas are located within the long ground floor box, while the private bedrooms can be found in the tall volume. the organization of the masses even allows for a roof terrace, connecting residents to the outdoors.

the construction of the prototype utilized a local building system based on adobe-block manufacturing. all the walls of the project have a concrete floor to withstand the climatic conditions of the local humidity. the roof system reflects the vernacular style of the rural houses, as does the traditional rainwater drainage system.

project info:

project name: project housing no. 8 (laboratorio de vivienda)

location: apan, hidalgo, mexico

client/owner: instituto del fondo nacional de la vivienda para los trabajadores (INFONAVIT) / centro de investigación para el desarrollo sostenible (CIDS)

architecture: pérez palacios arquitectos asociados (PPAA)

design team: pablo pérez palacios, miguel vargas, jesús garcía, laura fernández, carla celis, jorge quiroga, enrique villegas

built area: 58 m2

photography: rafael gamo