This project draws inspiration from commercial roadside icons. This four hundred and fifty square meter café and event space is located on the most heavily trafficked highways in Guatemala. The exterior is a concieved of as a four sided billboard. The result is fifteen meter tall bright red cube studded with vintage car chassis, catching the eye of passerbys at various speeds. Madero aims to blend human and industrial scales.

Both the exterior and interior reflect a playful yet critical approach towards urban sprawl and sustainability in context they are otherwise absent from. The bold exterior is paired with a lush, oasis interior, a pastiche of elements, both technical and traditional. Exposed metal structure, plumbing, vents, and skylights are all colorfully painted to draw attention to the buildings systems. Five meter palm trees, used as partitions, are watered by reclaimed rainwater collected in bright blue tanks. The floors are a patchwork of local cement tiles, recycled building material from exterior patios. These items combine with custom built-in millwork and furnishings with vibrant patterns, textures and colour palette of the materials, textiles, tropical vegetation.

Material Used:

1. Domex -Therodex Wall dx-1140F

2. Metecno -Glamet G5

3. Metecno -Superwall