STYLISHDESIGN

in Latin America
STYLISHDESIGN
in Latin America

LIAONING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLISHING HOUSE

LIAONING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLISHING HOUSE LIAONING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLISHING HOUSE
STYLISH DESIGN
in Latin America
STYLISH DESIGN
in Latin America

LIAONING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLISHING HOUSE

4
 Contents

Foreword 6

Hotels 8

Restaurants & Bars 78

Shops 114

Public Space 144

Offices 168

Houses 226

Designers Index 254

Foreword
There are more than 40 countries and regions in Latin
America.
Despite the difference in geography and development
level, they have experienced similar history under the effect
of Indian culture. They both have the similar experience
fighting for independence and against colonial rule in
politics, economy and culture. They also have mutual
source of culture and language. On the other hand, Latin
America is a discrepant and multivariate area. Some
countries are deeply affected by European culture while
some countries rapidly develop like a highly industrialisation
centre. Latin America is composed of sharply contrastive
countries, cloister cultures in the 16th century in Mexico
or Guatemala, Marxism approach in Ecuador and Peru
and Baroque of Andeans. All of these are the embodiment
of Latin America. Baroque is the most representative of
architectures in Latin America.
Since the 16th century, European colonists have
transplanted European culture to Latin America. Along
with the Catholic Church, Baroque architecture appeared
in many cities and towns. After the industrial revolution,
classical revival architecture and eclectic architecture were
also introduced into this land. In the end of the 1920s,
European modernist architecture began to impact on Latin
America. It developed rapidly, but confined in the coastal
cities. In pushing modern architecture, many Latin American
architects were not restricted to imitating but also actively
explored local regional features. After more than 300
years development, modern architecture absorbed Indian of 1950s in Brasilia and Mexico Anthropology Museum,
culture and became Baroque architecture which deeply as well as the hyperbolic paraboloid thinshell structures
originated from Latin American architecture culture. The with reinforced concrete designed by Engineer F.Rafah.
countries in Latin America also made good use of reinforced All of these gave a profound impress on the international
concrete materials to build the architecture according to construction industry. The modern architecture in Latin
their technique and economic conditions. Therefore, up America has become an important aspect of the multivariate
to the 1950s, the modern architecture in Latin America trend in the world architecture.
had come to maturation featuring in wide space, physical
diversity, thick modeling, rich colour, and sharp contrast of
light and shadow, or with a large mural decoration. Many
works were strongly individual and totally different from
those modern architectures in Europe and North America:
Brazil Museum of 1939 World Expo in New York, Library of
Mexico University in 1953, some public buildings in the end
H OTE L S
Atacama Explora Hotel
Location : San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Designer : Germn del Sol
Photographer : Guy Wemborne

This Hotel invites travellers to stop wandering, and make a fruitful

pause. Life, dispersed in Atacama's vastness, is somehow present at
the hotel, inviting visitors to go out and experience first hand natural
and cultural riches, and return every evening back to comfort, free
of the sheer tasks of survival.
San Pedro de Atacama is a 34,000 acres cultivated
oasis, inhabited for more than 2,000 years, in dispersed
neighbourhoods called Ayllus. The colonial town was founded
instead, by the Spanish conquerors, as a square grid of long
streets around the main square.
The hotel takes some distance from the existing settlements,
to found a new town in Atacama. It also follows the pre-
Columbian tradition of buildings that stand isolated in big public
squares, establish multiple relationships between them and nature,
and create towns without the use of streets. The hotel buildings
are a sequence of interior and exterior places. It is the same with
buildings in other small towns in Atacama, where the public and
the private are not very well defined. Disperse buildings, which
form the Hotel, are intended to be experienced as one, and
individualities spared.
11
12
13
14
15
Basico Hotel
Location : Mexico City, Mexico
Designer : Central De Arquitectura
Photographer : Moiss Isn and Jos Antonio Snchez

Themed around the basic concepts with a strong local identity, the
Basico hotel challenges preconceived notions of what a design
hotel should be, evoking images of an essential Mexico. Located
only a few steps away from the ocean, off 5th Avenue amidst
the bustling centre of Playa del Carmen, Bsico opens its doors
to a hedonist crowd with fifteen curious rooms distributed over
two floors. Very traditional ideas of Mexican everyday culture are
brought to life here. Public schools, cantinas, the petroleum
industry and other references are present throughout the property.
Made out of a mixture of concrete and Caribbean sand, the newly
built sand-coloured building fits in perfectly with the local beach
atmosphere. The floors are also made of sand-shaded cement
with red details, reminiscent of the typical Mexican patio style.
In the interiors, a lot of plants, colourful details and rich textures
remind guests of the countrys popular culture. Hctor Galvn
has made sure that most aspects of the interior design have been
made out of recycled materials, resins, plumbing pipes, different
woods, paint, cotton, rubber tires, plastic, glass and even latex.
18
19
20
CONDESA df Hotel
Location : Mexico
Designer : India Mahdavi
Photographer : Jaime Brquez , Felipe Camus, Jos Luis Ibez

Mexico City has become a cosmopolitan metropolis. The

contemporary traveler seeks authenticity. Its a thirst for unfamiliar
flavors and new sensations that attracts visitors to Mexico City, a
destination with strong cultural roots that preserves a local feel in
the era of globalisation.
CONDESA df Hotel imaginatively fuses the name and spirit
of its environment with designer India Mahdavis inventive and
playful simplicity. Hip without being haughty, Mahdavis design
offers functional originality from rooms to rooftop, incorporating
a range of local materials in elements including custom-made
furniture and stone tile flooring.
The sense of intimacy is the key for a new art de vivre. It
is not expected to find a stuffy front desk area where the greeting
feels like a stiff, formal ceremony. Beyond the central lobby
everything happens around a shaded and flourished inner patio,
designed after those of Mexican haciendas.
CONDESA df, the design hotel that opened January in
Mexico City's trendy la Condesa neighborhood, introduces a free
Summer movie series in their sub-level theatre.
24
25
30
31
Remota Hotel
Location : Patagonia, Chile
Designer : Germn del Sol
Photographer : Guy Wenborne, Felipe Camus, Turek

Latin American culture relates its people with nature. It has an

ancient tradition of works of architecture that stand in the midst of
nature, just to bring signs of lift to places. The inspirations come
from the sheep farms buildings of Patagonia. The buildings are
made for the sheep farm where daily life in Patagonia is lived.
A concrete structure of pillars, slabs and interior walls is
applied to ensure room privacy and fireproofing. The structure
is enclosed by waterproof plywood panels with a 1 foot thick
expanded polyurethane core as insulation. The panels are coated
with a synthetic asphalt membrane to provide the building with the
best insulation, and protection against rain and wind. The asphalt
membrane is covered with black fine gravel to protect it from the
UV rays. The PVC double glazing thermo windowpanes form a
continuous sequence of vertical openings in the exterior walls.
The interior design might not be understood apart from
the architectural work. The ever changing light of Patagonia
enters the building through the sequence of vertical cuts of the
windowpanes. The light is captured by the bright colours of the
fabrics that cover the dark wood furniture. The strong and Spartan
geometric furniture was made by carpenters at the job site, out
of big pieces of dead native wood, recovered from big forests
of Lenga trees. In all furniture, the handcrafted work can be
appreciated. The guest bedrooms have also some wood sleepers
running vertically from the floor to the ceiling, friendly but still
soundproof.
33
34
35
La Purificadora
Location : Puebla, Mexico
Completion : 2006
Designer : Architect Ricardo Legorreta

Innovative Mexican hotelier Carlos Couturiers latest project is

an inland wonder, a former 19th-century water-purifying centre
next to the Iglesia de San Francisco in the colonial city of Puebla.
Purity is the guiding principle of the hotels design as executed
by renowned architect Ricardo Legorreta: black and white are
the only colours, bringing out the subtleties of the materials:
stone from the original building, old wood, onyx and custom floor
tile, as well as materials such as bottles and glass fragments,
which are also integrated in the hotels graphic design. But
this minimalism shouldnt be confused with lack of luxury: a
roof terrace and a 30-metre pool provide ample recreational
opportunity, and the 26 guest rooms offer spectacular views of the
city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A ground-floor restaurant,
patio, library and extensive wine cellar offer civilised diversions,
but La Purificadora's real achievement is in its mix of tradition and
contemporary flavour, giving Puebla a hotel to savour on the road
from Mexico City to Oaxaca. Offering an ambience of tranquility,
comfort and exclusiveness, this property is an ideal place for
nature lovers and for those who want to explore the city.
40
41
44
45
Deseo Hotel
Location : Quintana Roo, Mexico
Designer : Central De Arquitectura
Photographer : Luis Gordoa

Deseo is located in playa del carmen, Mexico, a small Caribbean

village where fun and relaxation come together. The general idea
of this project is to combine these two activities in the same place.
The building revolves around a main patio where the public
areas dominate. This patio offers a variety of activities and
atmospheres, a spatial trace of sensations, platforms, textures,
water and sky. With the idea of combining architecture and plastic
art, Silvia Grunner, a local artist, was requested to make an
intervention in the pool (recalling gesamtkunstwerk), which reads
away from you.
The facade is composed by a wood skin that works as a filter
and threshold between the patio and the rooms. The main stairs
recall those of the prehistoric Mayan culture and invite you to an
unknown environment until reaching the central patio. The rooms
pretend to segregate the boarder of any disturbance from the city,
offering a clean, sober and elegant space.
47
48
49
50
51
Emiliano Hotel
Location : Sao Paulo, Brasil
Designer : Arthur Casas
Photographer : Tuca Reines

Unique in sophistication, the Emiliano is far beyond a common

hotel. Member of the Leading Small Chain of Hotels, Emiliano
is a perfect combination of stylish grand-hotel sophistication and
uniqueness with a Brazilian touch; an impressive art installation by
Siron Franco in the reception area, the fantastic hanging orchid
garden by Gilberto Elkis and the "golden chairs" in the lobby,
by the local design wizards Campanas brothers. The idea was
to make a hotel where guests never feel tired, as if they were at
home. For such purpose, designers used neutral colours, clear
wood and modern furniture. The hotel, which has 38 apartments
and 19 suites, gained its glamour with the mix of furniture
and state-of-the-art technology.
53
56
57
Habita Hotel
Location : Mexico City, Mexico
Designer : TEN Arquitectos
Photographer : Luis Gordoa, Undina Prohl

The architects converted a five-story apartment building of the

1950s, located on a commercial street and lined with retail stores
and officebuildings, into a thirty-six room boutique hotel, with new
services and amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, sauna,
bar, and restaurant.
The old structure achieved a new identity because of its new
wrapper, a frosted glass envelope composed of rectangular glass
panels, which exists beyond the original facade.
61
62
63
66
67
Un Hotel En Patagonia
Location : Magallanes, Chile
Designer : Germn del Sol
Photographer : Guy Wemborne

In order to live in this immensity, men and women construct

with stones, grace, and talent, throughout the pasturing
routes, or of commerce, towers, knolls or walls; or they paint
in caves or farellones; or they form with ordered stones and
enormous slope figures. Thus they make the human life
possible in the solitude labyrinth.
69
W Hotel Mexico
Location : Mexico City, Mexico
Designer : GAIA Studio
Photographer : GAIA Studio

The W Hotel in Mexico City, like the city it inhibits, is a

juxtaposition of modern ideas and indigenous culture which is
both vibrant and serene. A few feet away the city is watching as
one experiences the terrace's beautiful salam wood floors, pillow
filled lounge mattresses, hanging seat pods and crackling fire.
For those who have had their fill of exposure, off the terrace,he
can hide away in the bird house dining room under the night sky.
But if one still wants to been seen, he can dine in the glowing
white stone clad tunnel which is nestled in the restaurants warm,
dark, and cozy atmosphere.
In the three-floor-high atrium, there is an eye catching
moving visual projection playing on the elevators. The corridors
continue the Studio Gaia's harmonious play of contrast. Its sleek
white and deep red prepare for the dramatic experience of the
spacious hotel room. The generous size of the guest rooms are
accentuated by the clean material, low furniture and millwork. The
open bathroom becomes a perfect place to lay in its hammock
after indulging in the shower's body massage sprays.
For the ultimate luxury, reserve a Loft or the Presidential Suite.
Both offer double height rooms with grand views from the twenty
fifth floor. Architecturally, the sculptural staircase, and light wood
paneling mixed with the finest and modest finishes will make one
not want to leave. Mix a drink at the wet bar while friends play on
the leather sofas. Afterwards, ascend to the mezzanine bed that
looks over the city.
73
74
75
76
RESTAU RANTE S & BARS
Restaurante El Cardenal Palmas
Location : Mxico City, Mexico
Designer : Pascal Arquitectos / Carlos Pascal / Gerard Pascal
Photographer : Juan Marcos Castaeda

El Cardenal Restaurant is located on the ground floor of a

modern building in the midst of a trendy commercial area of
Mexico City. The contemporary design of the premises is in direct
relationship with the sorroundings rather than with the traditional
mexican cuisine, allowing it to be the centre of attention and
leaving everything else functioning only as background.
The bar area is the principal node from which the complete
distribution and the restaurant concept revolve, at the same time is
the host zone that welcomes visitors with a magnificent nava wood
and black greased steel bar that gives access to the main foyer.
In the main dining room a black Oaxacas clay cabinet will
display temporary expositions of selected pieces of the Museo de
Arte Regional MAP - (Regional Folk Art Museum); a loose ceiling
panel covered with scantex acts like an acoustic barrier and the
gaps between these panels help to hide air conditioning outlets,
speakers, sprinklers and the rest of the mechanical elements. Also
from the dining room one can access an indoor yard that is in
complete harmony with the whole decoration concept.
The integration of the kitchen area was accomplished by
using amber glass working as filter and extending the black
ceiling from the main foyer towards it, creating a contuinity feeling
between these two spaces. The floors were covered with natural
and polished prfido de San Luis stone; nava wood and a steel
plate was utilised for the baseboard.
82
83
86
87
Guria Restaurant
Location : Santa F, Ciudad de Mxico
Designer : Pascal Arquitectos / Carlos Pascal / Gerard Pascal
Photographer : Jaime Navarro

Architectural design in Guria restaurant is a contemporary

interpretation of old basque homes. This concept, under the
request of the owners, is the continuity of a well proved and
successful formula devoloped in the the original spanish premises.
The project began by generating a triangular mesh shape
modulated on the base, from where the geometric and decorative
interior style was developed. This was the starting point of the
design concept and the layout distribution that welcomes the
visitors with a six metres height reception foyer; irregular limestone
walls give a dramatic visual impact to this area from where a
chandelier hangs.
92
93
Bembos Restaurant
Location : Lima, Peru
Designer : Architect Jose Orrego - Metropolis
Photographer : Jose Orrego

The project is located inside the Sur Plaza commercial centre, in

the assigned zone to entertainment and family services.
The following project regards an iconographic proposal for
Bembos Restaurant, which is part of a fast-food chain, in order
to show off their association with Coca-Cola. The images and
symbolic representations traditionally associated to each company
were exposed on different places in the project. The challenge
of the design was to deliver an illusion of monumental space to a
construction that didnt have enough depth for that. An extended
facade solved the problem.
98
99
KOSUSHI
Location : Sao Paulo, Brasil
Designer : Arthur Casas
Photographer : A.Casas

People want to be entertained when they go to a restaurant,

specially in a city like S?o Paulo. The Japanese restaurant in
the Itaim neighborhood, Kosushi, has a double-height atrium,
mezzanine, ground-floor area and sushi bar. Neutral color
contrasts with the orange of the Eames chair and the sushi bar
itself. Japanese elements are juxtaposed with progressive notions
of design. A glazed ceiling over the bar and part of the dinning
room allows natural light into the space.The proposal was to
create a sushi bar that would convey customers to an oriental
atmosphere, but also with occidental influences.
104
105
106
107
Cybercaf
Location : Sao Paulo/Brasil
Completion : 2005
Designer : Brunete Fraccaroli
Photographer : Tuca Reins

Architect Brunete Fraccaroli, created in this space of 70 sqm a

Cybercafe that is dedicated to learn, being a point of convergence
of the shared knowledge, with intention to stimulate the research
and the reading, using technology of last generation connected to
coffee. Abusing the automation of the equipment, illumination,
audio and video, the architect takes off the maximum of the party
of the materials, mixing and abusing the combinations and the
contrasts of materials and colours, as steel and glass.
Everything allies to the technology, in a new proposal of
space composition, favouring the conviviality and the enterprise
dynamism, new discoveries and social knowledge. In the centre
of Cybercaf, a circular sofa is detached by the orange colour,
with the aim to congregate what the individual study separated.
It also has space for consultation and research. TVs of plasma
are supported by a metallic pipe with a blue glass box around.
People can enjoy all the infrastructure of Cybercaf with much
amusement.
 109

need a bigger photo here

110
111
112
113
SHOPS
Columbia Store
Location : Santiago, Chile
Designer : Gonzalo Mardones V.
Photographer : Andrs Nuez, Alejandro Briones

Columbia's new store in the Boulevard Parque Arauco needing

worked with an image pre created that seemed to us to
beinteresting to restate.
The idea consists basically of propose two linked spaces.
The first space of exhibition, in the access with a major height
of which tensile some hang of steel and crystal to expose the
clothes like a gallery. These elements to human scale are
together with the people who circulate the protagonists of this
space. In this sector the artificial light is solved across features
in the sky and, of way of allowing that the light should bounce
and slips for the walls.
The principal wall is hollowed by horizontal features also
white where there are located the accessories illuminated from
the interior of these cracks. The shop is neutral, entirely white in
the first sector and completely of cedar wood in the second one,
being the clothes principal protagonist.
120
121
Sacada Store-Rio de Janeiro
Location : Rio de Janeiro/Brasil
Completion : 2005
Designer : Arthur Casas
Photographer : Tuca Reines

As a well known chain of womens fashion based in Rio de

Janeiro, the project started 6 years ago targeting a better
circulation. The designers perfectly aligned the store identity to
the products sold. Wood flooring sourced from old countryside
demolitions, the use of Brazilian furniture from the second half
of the 20th Century and especially the giant panel of braided
tucum fiber give a special personality to this design.
124
125
Sacada Store-Sao Paulo
Location : Sao Paulo/Brasil
Completion : 2005
Designer : Arthur Casas
Photographer : Tuca Reines

At the Sacada store, in So Paulo, Arthur Casas pushes to the limit

his preference for natural and neutral materials. He uses similar
colored wood to compose the store's furniture and coatings, which
has a conspicuous vertical garden at the back. The genuinely
Brazilian tauari wood flooring has colors similar to the slender
oak's applied on the walls, at the stairs, on the clothes framing
box and, also, on the ceiling.
The front and side facades are furnished with Aluminum
sheets painted to imitate Cor-Ten steel. Made of blades, in the
same material, a vertically rolling door allows the total opening of
the gap. According to the architect, the absence of a door breaks
the timidity of people entering the space and makes them more at
ease.
127
Atika Showroom
Location : Santiago, Chile
Designer : Gonzalo Mardones V.
Photographer : Gonzalo Mardones

The building is the order of a business firm in which show and

commercialize products related to baths, kitchens, plumbing
fixtures, granites, etc.
This building had to receive also to the administrative offices
of the executives of the company.
The orientation of the Atika Showroom Building is based in
the tour of the Sun and to the light, which penetrates inside this
container. This box is opened on the south like a great transparent
store window for the Vitacura Avenue, The building is entirely
white,in the exterior and in the interior. In the centre of the
building there is located a spiral scale of granite and crystal
that joins the three most public floors, fulfilling a leading and
sculptural role inside the composition and producing the balance
like a calder.
 133

need a bigger photo here

about interior
136
137
139
Showroom Comex
Location : Mexico City, Mexico
Designer : Carlos Rubio Martinez
Photographer : Paul Czitrom

The showroom rises from the necessity of Comex enterprise to

show the technology and vanguard of its finishes and coatings on
Expo-CHIAC 2005.
The showroom lands on a white coat floor that is the base
of seventeen curvilinear rings shaping a sculptural object. Six
of them form two bodies landing directly on the main floor at
each extreme of the object, and the rest of the rings weld itself
consecutively generating the inner floor supported by a steel
structure barely perceptible that allows to exhibit seventy panels
with different colour finishes.
141
142
143
PUBLIC SPACE
Tarbut School
Location : Mexico City
Completion : 2005
Designer : Jaime Varon, Abraham Metta, Alex Metta / Migdal Arquitectos
Photographer : Werner Huthmacher, Paul Czitrom

The Tarbut School is located in western Mexico City. Due to its

growing student body, the school needed a multipurpose space
for additional classrooms, as well as sports, cultural activities,
and community gatherings. Due to the atmospheric conditions in
Mexico City, it is increasingly necessary that such activities take
place indoors.
In a first stage, the addition consists of two diversely scaled
structures programmed for various functions. The structure
abutting the campus houses computer labs, a multimedia room, a
library, a reading room, and an auditorium. The structure abutting
the ravine encloses a gymnasium that can also be used to stage
events. A semi-covered courtyard, which acts as a flow distribution
node and meeting place, articulates both volumes. A bridge spans
the courtyard and connects the two structures.
147
150
151
Studio W
Location : Sao Paulo, Brasil
Completion : 2005
Designer : Authur Casas
Photographer : Tuca Reines

The space to be designed was originally the attic of a well

known local upscale shopping centre, used as storage space
until recently. The existing steel structure (curiously in the form
of a W) which was supposed to be the biggest obstacle for the
development of the program defined the personality of the beauty
saloon with capacity to serve 120 clients at the same time. A less
aseptic then usual atmosphere was created and more welcoming
to contrapose with the overall size of the space (1,100sqm) and
the generous floor to ceiling height.
153
154
155
156
157
Panorama Santa Fe
Location : Mexico City
Completion : 2005
Designer : Jaime Varon, Abraham Metta, Alex Metta / Migdal Arquitectos
Photographer : Werner Huthmacher

Panorama Santa Fe is a building with a continuous form, which

acts as a pinnacle for the urban belt of the very tall buildings. Its
novel design emerges out of the search for the best panoramic
view of the city. Perimeter belts on the facade create the continuity
of glass elements. Thus, public spaces are created in the curves at
the points of inflection, while services as well as private spaces are
created in areas that allow right angles, for the perfect placing of
furniture.
159
160
161
Gota De Plata Auditorium Theater
Location : Pachuca Mexico
Completion : 2005
Designer : Jaime Varon, Abraham Metta, Alex Metta / Migdal Arquitectos
Photographer : Werner Huthmacher, Paul Czitrom

In the City of Pachuca, in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico, a new

urban development was created, consisting of various residential,
commercial and services programs in a section of the City known
as the Zona Plateada1 (Silver Zone). Ejido societies, government
entities and private promoters formed a partnership to make
viable the construction of this Cultural and Services Complex.
The central feature of this Park is a large mural plaza made by the
plastic artist Byron Glvez, who comes from Hidalgo.
163
166
167
OFFIC E S
Turner International Studios - Argentina
Location : Buenos Aires, Argentina
Designer : Magdalena Bernstein / Mathias Klotz
Photographer : Magdalena Bernstein

The Turner Studios project started as a private contest, consisting

in the restoration of a patrimonial building that originally hosted
a printing office, in the traditional Defensa area of Buenos Aires.
The assignment was to distribute and design working spaces,
offices, meeting rooms and conference rooms in the last two
floors of the building, an interior space of 10 x 12 x 12 meters
with perimeter windows and a big skylight in the centre.
The interior garden duplicates its perception trough a huge mirror
that covers the elevators hall.
171
172
173
174
175
Casa Estdudio
Location : Santiago, Chile
Designer : Magdalena Bernstein / Mathias Klotz
Photographer : Magdalena Bernstein

The Bernstein & Klotz house / studio is the enlargement and

make-over of a house built on 1965, projected and built
by architect Ignacio Covarrubias, at the time partner of the
prestigious studio of Sergio Larrain, Jorge Swinburn and himself.
This building was Mr. Covarrubias family house until 2002,
date when the designer bought it as family house, with the idea to
project an enlargement so that the house and the studio could in
the same place. After having worked using the sitting room and
dining room as offices, the designer projected an enlargement by
the addition of a second floor. Seeing the eventual outcome that
definitely transformed the house profile and the subtle relation
between the first plant and the patios and garden, the designer
decided to reject that option and projected an underground
studio.
In order to do this and respect the citys regulations for the
neighbourhood, we had to demolish the kitchen, and all service
area, including a patio. These programs were momentarily
relocated in other places of the house, which kept performing as a
family house and a studio.
The designer built a basement between the two property
dividing walls and over this the designer reinstalled the services
program previously demolished, in a volume similar to the
pre-existing one. The project aimed to increase the pre-existent
surface in a 30 percent, without altering the aspect nor the
original spirit of the Covarrubias work.
It is a project that virtually disappears Its essence is the
respect for the pre-existence so it would seem it has always been
there, without falling in the picturesque nor the rough imitation
of the past, but facing the new work with special emphasis on
discretion and low-profile.
177
178
179
Edelnor
Location : Lima - Peru
Designer : Architect Jose Orrego - Metropolis
Photographer : Jose Orrego

The company EDELNOR looked for Architect Jose Orrego to work

on a new concept of a service centre that groups the functions that
had been held in the collection centres, expanding their services
to commercial and retail activities.
The architectonic and interior design solutions were wrapped
in a surface treatment and large images of monumental scales
to create a happy and alive atmosphere that helps to bring a
pleasant and promoting experience to the visitors.
The main idea of the interiors was the creation of organic
spaces based in curves in the treatment of the physical space and
the ceilings, in a way that gives the sensation of a womb.
This source permits for the customer to feel hugged and
comforted for the architectonic space and the smiling and friendly
images of the large area that are all over the interior route.
Additionally, this new concept has also been used to
communicate through their different treatments that a company
like EDELNOR wants to communicate to the people it serves.
This new commercial format creates a new regard for
service centre in the city, where its being introduced as a new
international standard that will be applied in all the new locals of
the company.
181
182
183
Zermak Photography Studio
Location : La Unin, Cartago
Completion : 2006
Designer : ldb arquitectura
Photographer : Oscar Abarca

The Zermak studio surges as an amplification of the

photographers home. The project is inserted in a residential zone
in front of some terrains with steeps and one small forest area.
The proposal articulates the home and the project with a pathway
that generates in the wood entrance and finishes with a deck and
reunion hall. Advancing towards this axis, one can enter to the left
to the original residence and to the right to the studio, entrance
that merges towards the stairways. The space requires being
somber in benefit of the activities of the place.
Geometrically the work is proportionate in the golden
spot section, both in floor as in facade. The studio surges as a
modest scale project with an exhaustive control for architecture
and constructive detail.
185
189
Corporativo Dicas
Location : Mrida, Yucatn, Mxico.
Designer : Augusto Quijano Arquitectos
Photographer : Roberto Crdenas Cabello, Pedro Hiriart, Ignacio Rivero Bulne

Located to the north of the city of Mrida, in the zone of a more

important commercial development, the building of Grupo
Dicas is located in a land of 3,413 sqm of surface, with 4,200
sqm approximately of total construction, that includes area for
administrative offices and of direction with its respective areas of
services.
The building, in all its facades is resolute tempered
crystal and prefabricated panels concrete apparent of 9
mm, emphasising in the facade of access, the covered
cubicalvolume of shining dark granite, that floats on the access
seat. In the interiors, shining granite floors, lambrines of wood,
crystal handrails and plafones of tablaroca reinforce the idea of
dynamism and look for wealth.
192
193
Corporativo Bacsa
Location : Mrida, Mxico
Designer : Augusto Quijano Arquitectos, S.C.P.
Photographer : Roberto Crdenas, Pedro Hiriart

Located to the north of the city of Mrida, in the Yucatan Park

of nonpolluting industries, the building of Bacsa Constructor
considers like a building under two levels. It is located in a land
of 9.358 sqm, on the main avenue of the Park. The building, in
all its facades will be resolute tempered crystal and prefabricated
panels concrete of 9 mm. The image of the Corporative Bacsa
is an identifiable element in the urban context of the zone. It
operates like a building symbol within the Yucatan Park.
200
201
Advertising Agency
Location : Mxico D.F.Mexico
Designer : Garduo Architects
Photographer : Laura Cohen

The first thing that attracted designers attention when they

contended for the interior architecture design of the Tern/TBWA
new headquarters in Mexico City, was its slogan: The Idea
Factory. These three words certainly inspired quite a challenge
among them, but, on the other hand, they also meant designers
could base their proposal with no preconceptions at all. The
task of designing the ideal creativity-oriented space was really
stimulating.
Because of its boldness, their proposal attracted the clients
attention from the very start. The plan to literally demolish an area
(being this a rented space), to build a three-level central atrium,
entering the elevators through the intermediate level and using
stairs to go from one level to the next, was undoubtedly risky, but
certainly different and original.
203
206
207
208
209
210
212
213
HSBC Offices
Location : Lima - Peru
Completion : 2006
Designer : Architect Jose Orrego - Metropolis
Photographer : Alex Kornhuber

The proposal for the HSBC Bank offices emerged from a

conceptual solution of a white box that stands out the edification
for its simplicity and amplitude sensation. The main idea was to
give a contemporary image using clear surfaces enforced with
indirect illumination.
The frame gets complete with the utilisation of LE
CORBUSIER furniture, emphasising the red carpets chosen for
these areas.
The main details were valued with red elements, which are
proper of the corporate image of the bank.
The elevator halls were treated with aluminum stripes to
emphasise the mechanical function of this zone.
215
216
217
218
219
Blp Abogados
Location : Lindora, Santa Ana.
Completion : 2006
Designer : Arq. Luis Diego Barahona
Photographer : Oscar Abarca

Located on the fourth floor of the Building Via Lindora, the new
seat of BLP Lawyers occupies an area of thousand square metres.
The proposal is clear in demonstrating the intensity to represent
the concepts of the company/signature of lawyers that is defined
by its high international quality. The internal distribution of the
space is defined by a central element - reception and the tensions
that produce the two main rooms of meetings to both sides of the
architectonic plant. The project is designed within a virtual box
- defined by the facades and contrapisos- it allows to manifold
transparencies between the spaces - as much between the internal
ones as towards the external ones.
221
225
House s
Pedregal House
Location : Mxico City
Completion : 2006
Designer : Pascal Arquitectos / Carlos Pascal / Gerard Pascal
Photographer : Jaime Navarro

Leisure and recreation areas are comfortable and warm due to

the use of natural materials.
The house is designed in two levels, and the main floor
houses public areas, kitchen and domestic services and on
the upper level three bedrooms, restrooms and a TV room are
located. The design in this project revolves around hotel-foyer
style areas, and it welcomes to discover the trophy hunting
room, the bar and the wine cellar and a family room that can
accommodate a large concurrence.
231
234
235
Vertientes House
Location : Mxico City
Designer : Pascal Arquitectos / Carlos Pascal / Gerard Pascal
Photographer : Jaime Navarro

The home is composed in three levels, and occupies a total of

700 square meters; the principal access, living room, dining
room, kitchen, study and a family room belongs to the middle
level. The garage and the service zone belongs to the lower
level, and the higher level has three bedrooms, each with their
bathroom and wardrobe. All levels communicate with an elevator
for 10 people.
This home was designed using classic concepts but
interpreted like a synthesis of the same, styled and deformed
to create a longevity effect, in the same way they are cool and
contemporary. The materials used refer to classic styles, wooden
floors, different types of marble like Yellow Triana, White
Carrara, and Black Portoro, on the principal foyer solid
columns of Yellow Triana marble, all conjugated with furniture;
of style, they create total sophistication and coolness.
237
238
239
El Puertito Country
Location : Uruguay
Completion : 2006
Designer : Juan Pablo Roca . MISURA team

El Puertito Country offers you the opportunity to live life from a

different perspective each day. Experience tranquility and silence
or hear the trills of the birds; all this plus an amazing view of the
lagoon just 15 minutes away from the glamour of city life in Punta
del Este.
You will be able to choose your own house from one of the
thirteen properties in this enchanting landscape, which will also
offer all services needed to make your life pleasurable.
In effect, Ria Costera S.A and MISURA Design from
Montevideo Uruguay proposes its "personal Project" option. The
experts will present to you a customised design based on both
the existing features of the property you have chosen and your
preferences.
248
249
250
251
 Designers Index

Arthur Casas
Like most part of Brazilians from his generation, Arthur Casas, lived together since very early with the architecture. He started his aesthete consciousness on the 60s , when Oscar Niemeyer was astonishing the world with Brasilias curves, do-
ing of architecture a popular mater in the country. Despite that, Casas was much more interesting on concrete art and strait lines architecture that was being born on his back yard, the city of So Paulo. In the 2000, the architect installed an
office in NY. Under effluviums of the international market, he rediscovers what is like to be Brazilian. The growing interesting for the forms and typical materials from his country brought to the world a different Brazil, without ethnical obvious-
ness and without easily tropically. With his architecture and design, Casas diffused an urban Brazil, modern and, above all international.
http://www.arthurcasas.com.br/
Rua Capivari, 160 | Pacaembu | So Paulo | SP | Brazil
x cep: 01246-020 xxx tel. +55 11 3664 7700 | fax. +55 11 3663 6540

Augusto Quijano Arquitectos

UGUSTO QUIJANO AXLE
He studied architecture at the Iberoamerican University from 1974 to 1979, under the leadership of architect Jose Nava Requesens, a school that was based on principles lecorbusieranos and kahnianos and taking as teachers, among
others, Francisco Serrano, Carlos Mijares, Mario Schejtnan, Fernando Tudela, Jose Ma. Buenda, Jorge Ballina, Felix Sanchez, Carlos Gonzalez Lobo, Aurelio Nuo, Alberto Yarza and Jose Creixel. In September 2007, with the signing
Iglesis-Prat of Santiago de Chile, obtained first contest for the Theater of the Arts in the city of Osorno in Chile. In October, as part of the Seventh Biennial Architecture Yucatn, received honorable mentions for the house in L in Merida and
the School of the Arts in Leon. Gto.
http://www.augustoquijano.com/
Emiliano Zapata Norte 97129,Merida Yucatan Mexico Tel:999 94442

Brunete Fraccaroli
His projects also give charm to the areas of various social undertakings, as she So Paulo. And create solutions to the best use of spaces in apartment-model that decora for construction being launched.
Sum to your resume participation consecutive on 12 shows Casa Cor, annual event that brings together the best architects, decorators and landscaping of the country.
With 17 years of experience, and specializes in interiors, Brunete says the cornerstone of his work is in projects contemporaries, eclticos and custom which performs.
"Each project is special, requires studies, focus on the customer, functionality and comfort," assesses.
http://www.brunetefraccaroli.com.br/
Brunete Fraccaroli Arquitetura e Interiores
Tel: (11)3885.8309 / 3887.6834
Rua Guarar, 261, 7 andar Jd. Paulista
Cep: 01425-001 So Paulo - SP

254 Carlos Rubio Martinez

Central De Arquitectura
CENTRAL DE ARQUITECTURA is an architecture and construction atelier located in Mexico City that was established in 1998 by Moises Ison and Jose Antonio Snchez. They both graduated from Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City with
post-graduate studies in the New York School of Interior Design and the Southern California Institute of Architecture. The firms work includes hotels, office buildings, industrial complexes, comercial establishments, housing, and interior
design.
www.centraldearquitectura.com
MSTERDAM 91
HIPDROMO CONDESA
TEL 36401800 Mxico,

Garduo Architects
We believe that architecture is much more than walls. If it is created with authentic intention and respect, it must contribute to the inner welfare of human beings.
Our philosophy is to operate as a laboratory where each project is carefully viewed from its environment, the user, and its needs. Once the different variables are metabolized we propose a creative, suitable, deliverable and functional
answer. The outcome is a respectful architecture, composed by integrated geometric shapes that generate rooms full of light and emotions by which the user obtains a deep architectonic experience.
http://www.gardunoarquitectos.com/
Garduo Architects
1628-B1 Vail Valley Dr.
Vail, CO 81657
Germn del Sol
For me, being contemporary, Or is heir to a modern world, Not so much in the continued pursuit The innovation for innovation But more back in the beginning, And try to do things over again, A little better.
I believe that I am one of the architects Chileans It was inspired by the spirit of tradition Local or indigenous, To connect it with the world, Without staying in folk or purely local. Working with what is more universal local, As Violeta Parra.
My attempt to link the city with culture and nature In remote locations, is seeking a destination itself sustainable, To make them unique or unrepeatable, Without putting in a global world where there is more remote, It has been a contribu-
tion that has been appreciated and followed As has been the ideas that we proposed For wineries in Chile do not follow the model of the medieval castle But French and seek his grace on the quality that can give the rite Together.
www.germandelsol.cl
Germn del Sol, Arquitecto.Camino las Flores 11441,
Las Condes,Santiago, Chile.

Garduo Architects
We believe that architecture is much more than walls. If it is created with authentic intention and respect, it must contribute to the inner welfare of human beings.
Our philosophy is to operate as a laboratory where each project is carefully viewed from its environment, the user, and its needs. Once the different variables are metabolized we propose a creative, suitable, deliverable and functional
answer. The outcome is a respectful architecture, composed by integrated geometric shapes that generate rooms full of light and emotions by which the user obtains a deep architectonic experience.
http://www.gardunoarquitectos.com/
Garduo Architects
1628-B1 Vail Valley Dr.
Vail, CO 81657

Gonzalo Mardones V
www.gonzalomardonesv.cl
Gonzalo Mardones Viviani
Augusto Legua Sur 160 of. 71
Las Condes, Santiago 6760530 Chile
workVoice Phone: +56 2 3359469
faxFax Phone: +56 2 2316130

India Mahdavi
India Mahdavi, interior designer, creates places one longs to be, for a moment or for a week. From the irresistible lightness of Miami's Townhouse hotel to the privileged nocturnal luxury of the New York nightclub APT, Mahdavi's designs
exude a sense of well being. Sydney Picasso caught up with India in her office and showroom in Paris's seventh arrondissement. 255
www.india-mahdavi.com

ldb arquitectura
The power of an effect on time "in the urban context causes levels of influence of scales that go beyond city limits. The appreciation of 9.11 is the most important contemporary example tragic which refers to the global impact of the act on
time. Clearly, the answer given by influential sectors to cities like Brasillia is decontexturalized within the current reality. Obviously the answer that is being generated in cities like Bogota, Curitiva, Santiago, Guadalajara are quick actions
that determine the economy and are detonating urban revolutionaries.
http://www.ldbarquitectura.com/l/index.html
apartado 871-2350 san jos, costa rica Tel: (506) 253-5069 / (506) 253-8549
Fax: (506) 218-0631

Legorreta + Legorreta Architects

"Legorreta Arquitectos was founded more than 40 years ago by Ricardo Legorreta, Noe Castro and Carlos Vargas senior. Since then, the objective has been to achieve the best architecture, inspired through human values.
During the 60's and 70's Legorreta Arquitectos was well known for its work such as the Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City, Cancun and Ixtapa, office buildings for Seguros America Banamex and IBM in Mexico, laboratories and factories
for Kodak, Smith & Kline, Nissan and Renault, as well as low income housing projects for Infonavit and several residential works.
In the 80's, Legorreta Arquitectos started designing for other countries and collaborated successfully with different local architects. Allowing for assistance with local codes, continuous contact with the client, and elaboration of construction
documents.
At the beginning of the 90's Victor Legorreta, son of Ricardo Legorreta, joined the firm. Leading a group of young architects, together with Ricardo Legorreta, he is involved in the design of all projects.
WIn 2000, the office name changed to "Legorreta + Legorreta", which represents more than a name: the current organization."
http://www.legorretalegorreta.com
Palacio de Versalles 285-A Lomas de Reforma 11020 Mxico D.F. (52 55) 52 51 96 98
Fax (52 55) 55 96 61 62
Mathias Klotz
Mathias Klotz Germain
was born on April 1965 in Via del Mar (Chile). In 1991 he graduated as an architect from the Pontificia Unviersidad Catlica de Chile. He received the architecture degree from the Universidad Catlica de Chile in 1991, beginning the same year with his
studio of architecture in Santiago.
He has lectured in several Latin American countries, such as Spain, the U.S.A., Canada, Italy, Germany and Sweden. His work has been published in numerous specialized magazines worldwide and the monograph published in the GG Portfolio series:
Mathias Klotz, Editorial Gustavo Gili, Barcelona, 1997, and in 2G edition 26, Editorial Gustavo Gili, Barcelona 2003.
http://www.mathiasklotz.com
LOS COLONOS 0411 PROVIDENCIA
SANTIAGO CHILE
Tel : 56 2 2336613
Fax: 56 2 2322479

Metropolis
Metropolis Architecture is a progressive architecture and design consultancy network, providing a high quality design and ecological driven service for our clients.
Our approach is to be client focussed, and bring the very best team of construction professionals to each project to achieve our target of producing energy efficient quality design solutions which have a value beyond the physical built fabric.
Our designs look at the wider impact on the environment, the urban grain of their setting, as well as on the quality of life for the people that live, work and experience our designs.
http://www.metropolis-architecture.com/
Studio G
27 High Street Ryton on Dunsmore Warwickshire CV8 3EY
Tel: 024 7630 5514

Fax: 024 7630 5947

Migdal Arquitectos
Migdal Arquitectos is a mexican company that realize the projects integral development.
We participate actively not only architects, but also all the professionals, technicians and also national and international companies whose skills help make our designs and their realization successful. On the last 18 years we have realized more than 200
projects on diverse typologies, since income and medium housing developments, residential housing, commerce, industrial parks, education and culture and also specialized buildings.
www.migdal.com.mx
Av. Prol. Paseo de la Reforma 1236 piso 11, Col. Sta. F, Deleg. Cuajimalpa, 05348, Mxico, D.F.
Tel : 9177-0177
Fax : 9177-0170

Pascal Arquitectos
Pascal Arquitectos was founded in 1979 by Carlos and Gerard Pascal with the main purpose ot achieving ultimate and integral development in architecture, interior, landscape, lighting and furniture design. Most of Pascal Arquitectos projects had been
published and recognized with national and international awards.
Atelier's production ranges from numerous luxurious residential projects, several residential complexes, institutional and religious buildings, restaurants, to corporate and offices buildings and hotels.
Major restorations of two historic monuments, both recognized by the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), had been completed: Edificio Bolivia, an original masterpiece of architect Carlos Villagran Garcia nowadays corporate headquarters of Ford Motor
Company de Mexico, and the grand heritage mansion located in Avenida Refoma and Rio Elba street, were restaurant "El Divino" used to be.
http://www.pascalarquitectos.com/
Atlaltunco 99, Tecamachalco Naucalpan, Edo. Mex C.P. 53970, MXICO
Tel (5525) 5294-23-71 Fax (5525) 5294-85-13

Studio Gaia
Since the late 90s, it has been nearly impossible to experience hip hospitality in Manhattan without encountering Studio GAIAs mark. Thanks to dramatic designs for the new W Hotels in Mexico City and Seoul, the firms influence is now being felt
internationally.Waisbrod summarizes his companys philosophy: At Studio GAIA, we continually seek clients with whom we can explore the possibilities of architecture and design while challenging the conventions of a genre, be it hotels, restaurants or retail
projects. By focusing on our passion and the creative potential of our work, we will continue to thrive as designers and human beings.
www.studiogaia.com

601 west 26th street, suite 415 New york, NY10001 Tel: 212 6803500

TEN Arquitectos
Taller de Enrique Norten Arquitectos,SC(TEN Arquitectos) is dedicated to the creation and investigation of Architecture and Design. Founded in Mexico City by Enrique Norten, HFAIAm in 1986, it opened a second office in New York City in 2001. Currently
Ten Arquitectos has 25 members in Mexico City and 35 in New York. TEN Arquitectos has been involved in Projects of different types and scaes inclding furniture desgin, single family apartment and houses, residential, commercial and cultural buidings,
parks, urban desgin and redevelopment projects. The work of TEN Arquitectos is known for its contermporary architectural language that unites the aspirations of the nodern world with traditions of its native Mexican culture and environment.
www.ten-arquitectos.com/
Cuernavaca 114/PB, Colonia Condesa, 06140 Mexico DF.