Rescuing a tower abandoned and damaged in the 1985 and 2017 earthquakes
The Glorieta Cibeles Tower is a complete up-cycle of a 1979 74m tall and slender 18 story office structure that was abandoned and deemed unsafe after the historic 1985 and 2017 earthquakes. The project is located at the Cibeles fountain rotunda in the Roma neighborhood, one of the most emblematic, historic and full character areas of Mexico City. This part brims with a diverse set of typologies and an eclectic mix of architectures, dating back to the beginning of the past century. Having such an emblematic location, its remodeling was key to harnessing the potential from the site, becoming a unique example of innovation and an icon of urban recovery and renewal.
The transformation of the old building comprised four fundamental axes: structure and resilience; comfort and functionality; aesthetic and tectonic design; and sustainability, considering both operational and embodied energy.
One-of-a-kind dampers make the tower only the third structure with this seismic protective technology in Mexico City
The structural issues were addressed by utilizing an array of strategies. First, the tower’s 60 cm tilt towards the east was fixed with a very delicate maneuver that was done by excavating tunnels underneath to tamper the piles and ballast the tower; when the tower was vertical again, it was reattached to the existing foundation adding an additional 33 new pilings.
Above ground, the shape was regularized to avoid frame distortions during earthquakes. Afterwards, the existing structure was reinforced utilizing steel bracing and concrete rejuvenating epoxy injections. Finally, to complete the process, 4 viscous structural dampers were incorporated at each floor, reducing up to 60% of earthquake strength.
A bold engineering and core relocation strategy results in an unprecedented achievement
The core was redesign and relocated cantilevered to its eastern side resulting in greater open floors with expansive panoramic views and natural light in all directions, larger spacious elevators and a sculptural staircase resulted in more comfortable and greatly improved interior mobility and quality.
The structural changes allowed to remove a column that hindered interior spaces, deriving in a radical change from its foundation upward, something totally unseen in a seismic location like Mexico City. The new lobby became a double height, light-filled welcoming space with a reflective ceiling and beautiful bookcase marble finish that contrasts with its gilded ever-present sculptural counterparts.
A new facade offers panoramic views and adds height for a new secret space
The tower is designed as a sculptural inhabitable obelisk. By taking advantage of the site’s pentagonal shape, the main edge facing the rotunda was raised 10m above its previous total height, dropping towards its back edge to create a new exiting profile that engages in dialogue with the city’s skyline, reinforcing the project’s importance within the city.
The facade is timeless, incorporating highly efficient double glazing. Its reflectiveness gives the tower an illusory quality; it stands out revitalizing, simultaneously blending in with its surrounding, thoughtful, and respectful of the site.
Roof gardens briming with endemic vegetation crown a 19-story renovation
The tower is crowned by lush green roof gardens of endemic vegetation and pleasant microclimate that serve as unique relaxing spaces, representing over a third of the total plot space. Several palm and fern species create an oasis within a corporate environment.
A 40-year-old abandoned building is transformed into Leed Platinum certified
The project strived to achieve the outmost possible sustainability. The tower is Leed Platinum certified achieving 36.5% in total energy, 56% in artificial lighting, 67% in HVAC and 41% in water savings; additionally, by recycling the structure a 50% reduction in embodied carbon was accomplished.
A paradigmatic intervention that sets a precedent in urban renewal and recovery in Mexico
The intervention demonstrates that old and deteriorated structures can be revitalized while exceeding all the current requirements of comfort, efficiency, sustainability, resiliency and flexibility expected from a new building, becoming an example of responsible and innovative architecture and development.
The result is a icon of urban recovery and renewal not seen in such scale before in Mexico, which reflects on the thorough environmental efforts made.
Team:
Lead Architects: Sholem and Yoram Cimet
Design Team: Cimet Arquitectos
Structural Engineering: CTC Ingenieros Civiles
Structural Dampers: Mageba Group
Photography: Luis Gallardo and Jaime Navarro
Materials Used:
Andreu World - Alya, Reverse Occasional, Nuez Lounge Bio
