An introverted space on the first floor, which seeks an intimate relationship with a private garden, generating a micro-environment of relaxation and sensory enjoyment that goes from the smell of coffee, the visual harmony sought between the surrounding vegetation and the tectonic earth and wood of the envelope, coupled with the special music that floods the space every day, is the main objective of the Monman Coffee Shop project in Aguascalientes.
In a 10x25m lot located in the north of the city, an architectural program of 250.00 m2 is deployed on two levels that houses a specialty cafeteria. On the first floor the access is through a lateral route that is determined by the opening marked on a compacted earth wall that surrounds and delimits all the contents of that level, this wall that emerges from the front generates a ribbon that guides and accesses a central interior space surrounded by a small perimeter garden, which isolates it from the outside, creating that central interior space that turns to itself, having in the strip of the west side the services, the kitchen and service bar, the stair core and the module of bathrooms.
As we go up the stairs we discover a space in the form of an elevated mezzanine platform that flies over the facade and moves forward to leave a double height space in the back that is visible from above, this new space expands the dining area, generating a space wrapped and covered by a light metal structure covered with wood panels that, like folds, generate and direct the views and spatial intentions of the different areas, With this volume, a terrace is formed that floats on the front, advancing the possibility of coexisting with the wooded area of the stream that passes to the south, the cover wraps and protects the sunlight from the west with small perforations that allow the vegetation of the incorporated trees to grow looking for a kind of Komorebi, at the same time that opens like a large slot to the east side that looks out and dialogues with the outside.
The materiality and construction methods used were determinant to the intention of seeking the smallest footprint, compacted earth walls with the components of the excavation of the site and the area, the space is densified with vegetation around the central core, as few supports on the ground as possible and a wooden envelope oriented to its cross ventilation openings, protecting the strong sunlight and passively creating a self-sufficient climatic comfort.
The objective of the design of the space is to create a special atmosphere in the interior, where the senses are unleashed, recreate themselves in it and encourage coexistence, relaxation and the enjoyment of the experience of a good coffee.
Team:
Architects: LM Arkylab, Luis Morán and Ana Martínez
Project Team: Rodrigo Pedrajo, Alitzel Loera, Andrés Ochoa, Grecia Rodriguez, Braulio Ortiz, Irán Reyes, Daniel Valerio, Guillermo Morán, Pablo Barrera, Daniel Acevedo
Construction Company: Eng. Edgar Cantú / ICEC, Ingeniería Civil y construcción
Structure consultant: Ing Francisco Javier Sandoval
Photographer: Paulina Ojeda, Emilio Rosas
