One of the most culturally-rich neighbourhoods in Mexico City, Roma, has sought-after real estate but strict zoning laws. This often restricts further development of the area, contributing to the increasing number of abandoned properties. Among a dense cluster of residential buildings lies a home, identified by large openings and metal grills, built in the 1940s on a limited footprint of 215 sq m. The house has seen several renovations over the years, the most recent being its conversion into a workplace, after remaining largely unoccupied for a decade. Now a contemporary residence, Casa Sofia is a collection of interventions, realised by Mexican architecture practice AMASA Estudio. The design scheme accomodates an independent apartment on the ground floor, an optional commercial space in the garage area, the primary residence on the first floor, and the common areas on a new floor.

Founded in 2016 by Mexican architects Agustin Pereyra and Andrea López, AMASA Estudio views interventions as an interrelationship between objects, architecture and city. The studio treats objects as “tools of interaction”, architecture as “an integrating object” and the city as a bridge that connects them. Employing a sensitive and critical outlook towards residential, institutional and public projects, the practice provides bespoke solutions that prioritise architectural characteristics, urban landscapes and socio-cultural contexts. For Casa Sofia, the studio took cues from the original colour palette, geometries and proportions of the existing shell of the 1940s house in an attempt to retain the aesthetic and material memory of the place.

Since the dwelling is enclosed from three sides, its primary source of light and ventilation is its street-facing east facade. The large openings add definition and visual depth to an otherwise uniformly levelled facade, expanding and contracting to fit the needs of the interior spaces. Informed by the original structure, the grey walls act as a muted backdrop that further spotlights a large tree on the sidewalk. The former bulky grills of the house are replaced by slender metal fenestrations in crisp teal, the openings ensuring safety, ventilation and regulating the amount of natural light coming through.

Contrary to the previous layout, which directly opened the main door into the interior spaces, the house now begins with a small vestibule. A buffer between the street and the interior spaces, the lobby provides independent access to the commercial space, the rental apartment and the primary residence. While the commercial space features a large uninterrupted floor space and a powder room, the ground floor apartment comprises an open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen, along with a bedroom and a bathroom. A small rectangular courtyard on the rear corner of the building brings natural light and ventilation into the deeper areas of the home.

The renovation architecture features private areas on the first floor, while the common areas are housed on the upper level, overlooking the neighbourhood. While two spacious bedrooms face the street and feature large windows, the smaller bedroom overlooks a charming courtyard. The interior design for this floor and the ground level is simple and utilitarian, emphasising the privacy of the residents through frosted and textured glass walls amidst the dense urban area.

The spiral staircase acts as a striking design statement orchestrating an interplay of light and shadow through the day, thereby adding visual drama to the space. The bespoke staircase design features sleek, textured metal surfaces in green against the grey plaster, a nod to the colour scheme of the facade.

To optimally utilise the floor area, the Mexican architects pack the utility, kitchen and bathroom areas towards the rear courtyard, allowing a large open space for shared activities under the sloping roof. Apart from the staircase, the roof is another salient feature that gives the residential architecture its distinct identity, comprising a circular skylight that creates a well of light across the levels. Green walls and wood-finished ceilings create a pleasant contrast, evoking an earthy living experience. A terrace spanning the length of the site opens up the space to the outdoors, allowing the residents to savour the urban landscape in every weather.

In a neighbourhood full of old, often neglected buildings, Casa Sofia stands out for its tender resilience. Along with turning its limitations into opportunities, the residence uses characteristics of the former architecture to shape a new identity. Similar to their artist’s studio project in Mexico City, AMASA Estudio weaves bespoke interventions into the core of Casa Sofia, spotlighting colourful spatial solutions that redefine the existing built environment.

Project Details

Name: Casa Sofia
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Client: ECOBIART Inmobiliaria
Architects: AMASA Estudio
Area: 215 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024