TACO's affordable housing module in mexico is a small-scale space for social activity

mexico, like many populated countries around the world, faces increasingly complicated issues with urban housing. for MZ grupo, one of the biggest among them is the breakdown of the social fabric in the peripheral areas, such as in the municipality of kanasín in yucatán. here, the environment outside the city falls victim to the cycle of transition, causing the abandonment of property and the slow progression toward the construction of public amenities. for this reason MZ grupo commissioned TACO (taller de arquitectura contextual) to design an affordable housing module with several unique features. 

al images by leo espinosa

in a simple design by taller de arquitectura contextual for MZ grupo, a cinderblock construction encloses the tiny home. it is assembled in creative way to give the home several distinctive advantages. the cinderblocks used for the front and back-facing directions are flipped on their open faces to allow ventilation into the home — with a mosquito net to impede any unwanted visitors. this lattice pattern has several other unique advantages: it allows for personal customization, as the spaces can be filled with various trinkets, from stones to found objects, and also serves as a protector against hurricane winds and vandalism.

the space is fairly small, comprising only 55 square meters, which helps keep the cost down to only 9,000 USD. however, it is not considered too small for the region, where small living areas are not uncommon. the home has a social space at the front, and  becomes more private as you progress toward the rear. 

the exterior references the tradition of ‘solar maya’ (mayan productive backyard) — a concept relevant to the inhabitants of the region; yet, this design is adapted to modern needs. behind the home there is space for outdoor laundry, for backyard animals, and for a garden, which remain important in modern mexico. the semi-public alignment of this space helps encourage ‘neighborhood security’ through its social activation. 

the home’s design encourages these aspects, according to TACO ‘the construction system considers lateral bearing walls which are perpendicular to the public road, formed by prefabricated concrete blocks; which support the flat roof for a future upper extension. this responds to the aspirations and sense of safety of the inhabitants, to the availability of the material’.

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project info:

client: mz grupo.
housing program: “crédito para la vivienda”.
architectural project: taco taller de arquitectura contextual.
design team:  carlos patrón ibarra, ana patrón ibarra, alejandro patrón sansor, estefanía rivero janssen.
surface area: variable.
construction area: 55.00 sqm.
initial construction cost: $170,000.00 mxn ($9,000.00 usd)
year of design: 2017.
location: kanasin, mexico.
status: constructed
graphics: taco taller de arquitectura contextual.
community market study: eureka.
photographer: leo espinosa