2. 11
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.
MariaAimethRodriguez
3. 2
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 Opportunities
Atlampa 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
Mexico
Pasado - Presente - Futuro?
Figure 1 Map of Mexico
City.
Figure 2 Map of Atlampa,
Mexico City.
Figure 3“La castellana”
Historical warehouse.
4. 23
Brief History of the site:
Atlampa: Precolombian Era
The 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-
hood
with 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/CNCA
Figure 6 Atlampa existing
19 century Warehouses.
1“La Castellana” 2“Bodegas Chopo” 3“La Maravilla”
1
2
3
5. 4
Site Challenges:
poverty,
Informal housing,
Abandoned warehouse,
Infrastructure.
Screening Learning/Process
The 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.
10. 89
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.
11. 10
Figure 15 Render showing
the outside part of the res-
taurant. On the left side is a
classroom, the restaurant is
on the center, and
on the right side is the com-
munal dining room.
Figure 16 East Elevation of
the building.
Figure 17 North Elevation of
the building.
12. 1011
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.
14. 1213
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.
