From an Abandoned Structure to a Covered Forum

The project was developed by Mexico City-based architectural design firm AMASA Estudio, in collaboration with construction company Desarrolladora de Ideas y Espacios, Alberto Cejudo, and was carried out in four residential complexes represented by INFONAVIT (Istacalco, Santa Fe, Cruhuacan, Ignacio Chávez) as a strategy for improving communal areas.

UHI Iztacalco_AMASA Estudio_Zaickz Moz_ FILM02.JPG Image Description: Fotografía Image Credit: © Zaickz Moz, Cortesía AMASA Estudio

Selected through a competitive process, the project was evaluated based on design creativity, feasibility, management efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Within just two months, the design was completed, delivering tangible results despite limited budgets and time constraints. Since the mid-20th century, Mexico City has witnessed the expansion of collective housing, with approximately half of its population residing in condominium-style developments. Of the nearly 10,000 housing complexes in the city, about one-third were constructed by INFONAVIT, the National Workers’ Housing Fund Institute. However, as over 75 years have passed since the first housing projects, maintenance deficiencies have become a growing concern.

The Transformation of Iztacalco Housing Complex

Built in 1972, the UH INFONAVIT Iztacalco complex is located in the eastern sector of Mexico City. Originally designed around an artificial lake, the area was transformed after the 1979 earthquake, which caused soil fissures that led to the lake’s drainage. Twenty-five years later, the city government repurposed the site into "Parque del Lago," featuring a 500m² steel-framed hemispherical structure supported by concrete columns. However, construction deficiencies left the dome incomplete, and over the next two decades, exposure to the elements led to further deterioration.

In 2024, INFONAVIT launched a design competition aimed at revitalizing this communal area. AMASA Estudio and Grupo Constructor Peasa were selected to execute the project, securing an investment of approximately 8 million pesos and completing construction within four months. The intervention included a new roof for the hemispherical structure, landscape improvements, and chromatic enhancements. Additionally, a 260m² covered forum, social gathering spaces, a parkour area, and a calisthenics workout zone were introduced to create a vibrant community hub.

The project’s centerpiece is the 12-meter-high hemispherical structure, which now serves as a focal point for community engagement. The addition of a newly designed roofing system provides essential shade and weather protection, making the space more functional. A warm-toned pigmented concrete surface and turquoise-green steel frames add dynamic contrasts to the previously gray-dominated setting. The roof was designed using a lightweight steel grid and metal sheets, secured by tensile cables—an efficient approach that optimized materials while achieving maximum impact. This project exemplifies the potential of public investment in Mexico City's housing complexes. By strategically planning and managing resources, shared spaces can be transformed into lively gathering points that foster social interaction and community well-being. The initiative highlights how well-executed design, rather than large budgets, is key to revitalizing urban spaces and reinforcing social cohesion.

About AMASA Estudio

A Mexico City-based architectural firm specializing in urban improvement projects. The firm focuses on community-oriented designs and sustainable interventions. In this project, AMASA Estudio was responsible for the overall design, planning, and project management.

About INFONAVIT (National Workers’ Housing Fund Institute)

A Mexican government agency responsible for providing housing finance and managing national housing policies. INFONAVIT played a crucial role in funding and overseeing the redevelopment of the Iztacalco housing complex, ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Architects: Andrea López, Agustín Pereyra [@androide08 @a_pereyra]
Client: INFONAVIT [@infonavitoficial]
Construction: Desarrolladora de Ideas y Espacios, Alberto Cejudo [@tallercd_mx]
Structural Engineer: Juan Felipe Heredia [@jfheredia]
Engineering: Germán Muñoz
Lighting: Gabriel Briseño
Landscape: Maritza Hernández [@maritzahernandez1413]
Team: Roxana León, David Rivera, Luis Flores, Gerardo Reyes, Yanahi Flaviel
Photographers: Zaickz Moz, Andrés Cedillo, Agustín Pereyra [@zaickz.moz @pavelin]
Video: Virgilio Cortes [@tropicalesunderground]
Drone: Gerardo Reyes [@gerardorbustamante]