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MASTER THESIS PROJECTMARIA A. RODRIGUEZ

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Abstract At least 50 percent of Mexicans live in neighbor-hoods with informal characteristics. Due to the population explosion in México, the housing production process was left to the systems of mass production which focused on quantitative factors, leaving out qualitative issues neces-sary to the essential part of housing development. Through-out history, Mexico had to face many adversities. After the Mexican Revolution, the displacement of people to big cities generated a need for housing. For this reason, the develop-ment of new towns of work populations in the periphery of the cities emerged. This was the main reason that informal housing appeared, first in México City and later on in the rest of the country. Informal housing, also defined as self-built housing, represents the majority of housing in México.

HOUSINGA problem of Mexico City.

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MASTER THESIS PROJECTMARIA A. RODRIGUEZ

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Mexico Cityis one of the largest metroolitan areas in the world, with 22 million people. Due to its globalized economy and dynamic growth, the city offers better life opportu-nities, encouraging massive migration from rural areas to the city. therefore , the need for more housing. As a result for housing de-mands has gnerated the growth of squatter areas as well as massive social housing com-plexes at the peripheries of the city.1

Thesis Issues:Social Agency: The aim is to improve quality of life.Urban gentrification: is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an exist-ing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in the dis-trict’s character and culture. Site OpportunitiesAtlampa is the last undeveloped site in

downtown mexico city.2

1 Vivienda Social factores que influyenen la produc-cion de vivienda en Mexico.2 La vivienda “Social“ En MexicoPasado - Presente - Futuro?Figure 1 Map of Mexico City.Figure 2 Map of Atlampa, Mexico City.Figure 3 “La castellana” Historical warehouse.

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Brief History of the site: Atlampa: Precolombian EraThe history of Mexico City begins with the development of the Aztec capital Mexico- Tenochtitlan which was built on numerous islands in a lake formed by water draining from the surrounding.

19th C. The Arrival of the Railroads:Atlampa was a small connected neighbor-hoodwith the whole country. The Railroad. was the mayor reason of the development of the warehouses.

Existing 19th C. Warehouses in Atlama:La Castellana, Bodegas Chopo, La Maravilla.

Figure 4 Map of tenochtit-lan. Sourse Google images-

Figure 5 National Railways of Mexico 1948. Sourse CEDIF/CNPPCF/CNCAFigure 6 Atlampa existing 19 century Warehouses.

1 “La Castellana” 2 “Bodegas Chopo” 3 “La Maravilla”

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Site Challenges:poverty, Informal housing, Abandoned warehouse, Infrastructure.

Screening Learning/ProcessThe purpose is to give housing and provid-ing education to low income people and their families who live in Atlampa Mexico. In order to help them rebuild their lives.

The Project include:

A vocational school with three main areas of studio: culinary school, mechanic school and Electric school.

Figure 7 Atlampa Mexico City.Figure 8 Informal Housing, Atlampa, Mexico city.Figure 9 Informal Housing, Atlampa, Mexico city.Figure 10 Informal Housing, Atlampa, Mexico city.Figure 11 Concept diagram.

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Program:

Mechanic Workshop

Computer repair

Community Dining

Kitchen

Restaurant

Classrooms

Restrooms

Offices

Laundry

Day care

Courtyard

Playground

Community Garden

One Bedroom Apt.

Two Bedroom Apt.

Three Bedroom Apt.

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Legend

1. Classroom2. Restaurant3. Mechanic Workshop4. Computer Repair5. Cooking Class Classroom6. Kitchen7. Community Dining Room 8. Restrooms9. Mechanical Room 10. Day Care11. Playground12. Offices

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Site Plan and Ground Floor

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Second Floor

Third Floor

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Fourth Floor

Fifth Floor

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Figure 12 Render of the courtyard. On the right showing the Cooking class-room and on the left side the playground.Figure 13 Cross section of the building.Figure 14 Longitudinal sec-tion of the building.

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Figure 15 Render showing the outside part of the res-taurant. On the left side is a classroom, the restaurant is on the center, andon the right side is the com-munal dining room.Figure 16 East Elevation of the building.Figure 17 North Elevation of the building.

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Figure 18 Render of the courtyard and main area for visitors and residents to gather. On the right side is the kitchen and communal dining room.Figure 19 west Elevation of the building.Figure 20 South Elevation of the building.

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The main purpose of the project was to design a building in order to help with the problem of housing in México City, taking into consideration the city and most impor-tantly, the people’s needs. I am proposing a solution in order to give housing and provide education at the same time to low income people and their families who live in the neighborhood of Atlampa, Mexico City. I intend to help them rebuild their lives. I am seeking to integrate to housing:

work, study, recreation, services, social en-gagement through access to public space. Incorporating housing in Atlampa will help to revitalize the area. So that social fabrics will be created capable of generating con-ditions of stability and social wealth.

Figure 21 Final model showing the south facade.

Figure 22 Final model showing east facade and communal gardens. Figure 23 Final model showing communal gar-dens and courtyard.