Tolsá 61 is a reinterpretation of the traditional vecindad housing model of Mexico City. The project is located in the La Ciudadela neighborhood, at the southwestern edge of the historic center of Mexico City, an area that still preserves much of its 18th- and early 19th-century architecture, including the renovated Biblioteca de México José Vasconcelos.

Inspired by the Porfirian vecindad typology—organized around a longitudinal central courtyard—the project explores a contemporary form of collective housing. It is conceived for residents seeking a new way of urban living based on community, flexibility, and a sense of belonging among its inhabitants. Tolsá 61 challenges the isolation of conventional apartment living by creating spatial conditions that encourage interaction and shared life.

The design takes advantage of the site’s urban context through a series of controlled openings “excavated” from the building’s monolithic mass. These voids generate terraces and communal spaces while improving environmental performance by allowing natural light and cross ventilation to penetrate deep into the building. The facade is clad in white vitrified brick, a durable material chosen both for its longevity and for its low maintenance, as its glazed surface resists dirt and weathering over time.

The project consists of a six-story reinforced concrete structure with a distinctive, volumetric facade where recessed openings create outdoor terraces integrated into the architectural composition. Vegetation is incorporated within these spaces to help cool incoming air before it reaches the interior while also filtering daylight throughout the building.

Designed for low-income families, the building contains 25 apartments ranging from 45 to 60 square meters, with a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. Despite their compact size and simple layouts, each apartment includes a private balcony or terrace overlooking the central courtyard, reinforcing the project’s concept of community-oriented living.

The interior material palette emphasizes simplicity and durability while referencing elements of Mexican architectural tradition. Whitewashed brick partition walls, porcelain tile flooring, OSB wood for doors, cabinetry, and kitchens, and white porcelain tile bathrooms create a hybrid aesthetic where contemporary sensibilities meet local materials.

OSB wood plays a central role in the construction process. Beyond its use in interior carpentry, it was also used as formwork for the reinforced concrete walls and slabs, leaving a distinctive textured imprint on the exposed concrete surfaces and giving the material a richer tactile quality.