ICON Hamburgo

About The Entry

ICON Hamburgo is located in the heart of Mexico City, in the Juárez neighborhood, between Oxford and Praga streets, a few blocks from the U.S. Embassy. This area, known as Zona Rosa, is defined by its intense nightlife and diverse social fabric, including office workers, tourists, and a strong Korean community.

The site originally belonged to the firm, with a five-level building that housed its headquarters. From this link emerges the concept: a play of opposites materialized in a seven-story building that connects with its surroundings while offering an introspective, almost sanctuary-like experience. This duality is expressed through triangular balconies clad in bamboo brise-soleil, rotated 45° from true south to reduce solar gain while preserving views, turning each unit into a calm refuge within a dynamic context.

The ground floor reinforces this contrast, combining a street-facing commercial space with a controlled residential entrance. Given the area’s strong public transport network, the project eliminates parking, discouraging car use. The lobby continues the connection–disconnection logic: a public rooftop crowns the building, while six residential levels offer direct, controlled elevator access.

Each floor contains three 42 m² loft-style apartments, conceived as flexible spaces that shift between public and private, with kitchenette and bathroom. The project targets young residents seeking proximity to work and leisure, as well as tourists.

The previous building’s demolition responds to collapses during the 2017 earthquake and the stigma around older structures. The new building uses deep pile foundations and reinforced concrete frames with ribbed slabs, ensuring safety.

Interiors follow a warm, light palette of white plaster and oak wood, with Carrara marble in common areas. Double-glazed windows enhance acoustic and thermal comfort. Balcony vegetation references Asian culture, using adaptable species.

ICON Hamburgo proposes living through proximity—engaging the city while enabling disconnection—encouraging younger populations to return to a renewed urban center.