Mexico City has a long-standing tradition of collective housing, with residential complexes forming a significant part of its urban landscape. INFONAVIT (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores), the state agency responsible for housing for workers, has been a key player in this development, constructing nearly one-third of the city’s housing complexes. However, the passage of time has revealed challenges in many of these complexes, stemming from inadequate maintenance and governmental oversight.
In a significant effort to address these issues, AMASA Estudio, under the leadership of Andrea López and Agustín Pereyra, undertook a comprehensive improvement strategy focused on the communal areas of four representative INFONAVIT housing complexes in Mexico City: Iztacalco, Santa Fe, Culhuacán, and Ignacio Chávez. This project highlights the transformative potential of thoughtful architectural intervention in revitalizing these essential community spaces.
The UH INFONAVIT Iztacalco Complex, built in 1972, holds the distinction of being INFONAVIT’s inaugural housing development. Situated in the eastern part of Mexico City, the complex was originally designed around an artificial lake. Following the 1979 earthquake, soil fissures led to the lake’s drainage, and the site was subsequently transformed into “Parque del Lago.” A central feature of this park was a semi-spherical steel framework supported by concrete columns, covering approximately 500 square meters. Unfortunately, due to structural deficiencies and years of neglect, the structure deteriorated, becoming an underutilized element within the community.
In 2024, INFONAVIT launched an open competition seeking a design, management, and intervention proposal to revitalize the complex’s central common area, with a primary challenge being the enclosure of the existing semi-sphere to provide protection from the sun and rain. AMASA Estudio’s winning proposal initiated a complex coordination process involving multiple government agencies and community stakeholders.
AMASA Estudio’s approach was characterized by a thorough site analysis, resulting in tailored neighborhood improvement projects, and a particularly noteworthy project management strategy. This involved effective collaboration between AMASA Estudio, the construction firm, government entities, and, crucially, the active engagement of residents’ committees through neighborhood engagement processes. A key challenge lay in navigating the complexities of working within communal spaces that function as public spaces yet are legally private property.
The revitalization of UH INFONAVIT Iztacalco involved several key architectural interventions. To address the requirement of enclosing the semi-sphere, AMASA Estudio implemented structural reinforcements and a suspended, inclined roof system, utilizing a steel grid and lightweight metal sheets secured with tensile steel cables. This solution optimized resources while enhancing the site’s architectural character. The project also focused on creating a vibrant and functional public space. The revitalized heart of the complex now features a 260-square-meter covered forum, areas for socializing and relaxation, a parkour area, and a calisthenics workout zone, with the semi-sphere serving as the focal point. Color played a significant role in the transformation, with vibrant hues providing a counterpoint to the previously dominant gray concrete. The new forum and reinforced dome structure incorporate pigmented concrete in warm tones, while turquoise-green steel structures support corrugated metal panels in a dynamic, polychromatic finish.
This project exemplifies the transformative potential of public investment in Mexico City’s housing complexes. Through thoughtful design and resource efficiency, AMASA Estudio has revitalized a neglected common area into a space for gathering, recreation, learning, and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and social cohesion. The success of UH INFONAVIT Iztacalco demonstrates that impactful change can be achieved through well-planned and well-managed public investment strategies, ultimately breathing new life into communal spaces and strengthening the social fabric of Mexico City’s housing communities.
AMASA Estudio, founded in Mexico City in 2016 by Agustín Pereyra and Andrea López, is characterized by a design approach that operates across multiple scales, from objects to architecture to urban spaces. The studio’s work is driven by a focus on the relationship between spatial reinvention and the meaning of content, prioritizing respect for the architectural, cultural, and social environment.