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When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
When Pablo Pérez Palacios’ Mexico City–based architecture firm PPAA was tasked with building an apartment tower to meet La Colonia Roma's need for additional housing, he faced a problem familiar to developers in historic neighborhoods everywhere. The site was occupied by a dilapidated home that dates to 1925, and local laws required that the facade and part of the structure be maintained. PPAA’s innovative approach was to cut the original three-story home in half, preserving enough of the building to front the street and hold two apartments replete with classic Victorian details like high ceilings and restored millwork. In the back of the lot, they designed a sleek eight-story apartment tower that would hold an additional nine apartments, for a total of 11 units. Not bad for a site that was previously an uninhabited single-family house.
Inspirational spaces
Inspirational spaces
A vibrant yellow pocket door adds a playful splash of color in the bathroom/laundry area on the lower level.
A vibrant yellow pocket door adds a playful splash of color in the bathroom/laundry area on the lower level.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
British artist Hannah Sawtell and technologist Avi Flombaum created sawbaum.com, where users can create visual collages using multiple vine streams. "We wanted it to look like a visual comic book, with overlapping panels," said Flombaum. "And we wanted it to be fun!" Photo courtesy Rhizome.
A small terrace outfitted with an H55 easy chair by Björn Hultén offers a view of the San Francisco Bay.
A small terrace outfitted with an H55 easy chair by Björn Hultén offers a view of the San Francisco Bay.
A "raked roof" promotes daylighting, while a 6Kw photovoltaic solar array with 4.8Kw battery storage generates clean energy. The front porch encourages socializing with the neighbors.
A "raked roof" promotes daylighting, while a 6Kw photovoltaic solar array with 4.8Kw battery storage generates clean energy. The front porch encourages socializing with the neighbors.
The house has under floor hydronic heating and cooling sustained by a 23 KW solar PV system.
The house has under floor hydronic heating and cooling sustained by a 23 KW solar PV system.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
Illustration via drawastickman.com.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The cabin’s concept was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-square-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
<span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">The apartment in the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, that FJ55 Arquitetos renovated for Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari was once a podcast studio. The space's wide open living area, kitchen, and dining space are outfitted with Tauari wood floors and feature raw concrete ceilings, beams, and pillars.</span>
The apartment in the heart of São Paulo, Brazil, that FJ55 Arquitetos renovated for Carolina Quevedo and Marcus Watari was once a podcast studio. The space's wide open living area, kitchen, and dining space are outfitted with Tauari wood floors and feature raw concrete ceilings, beams, and pillars.
The 2020 Living Vehicle PRO is the company’s most technologically advanced model (and Matthew's favorite for its ability to remain off-grid continuously in the right conditions) with a 47.66 kWh energy capacity, double the inverter power of the other models, and a 5.5 kW generator. Prices start at $349,995.
The 2020 Living Vehicle PRO is the company’s most technologically advanced model (and Matthew's favorite for its ability to remain off-grid continuously in the right conditions) with a 47.66 kWh energy capacity, double the inverter power of the other models, and a 5.5 kW generator. Prices start at $349,995.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
The concept of this Scandinavian getaway was simple: To create a cabin that is small and sparse yet spatially rich. The 55-quare-meter (592-square-foot) cabin, commissioned by a private client and completed in 2016, comprises a large living room, bedroom, ski room, and small annex with a utility room. It functions off the water and electricity grids.
A 1.4-kW solar array by Sharp and propane-powered in-floor radiant heating from Radiantec obviate any need to connect to municipal power.
A 1.4-kW solar array by Sharp and propane-powered in-floor radiant heating from Radiantec obviate any need to connect to municipal power.
A 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, a gift, is one of few indulgences.
A 55-inch Samsung Smart TV, a gift, is one of few indulgences.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
One of the witticisms found on livethesheendream.com.
A 1.4-kW solar array by Sharp and propane-powered in-floor radiant heating from Radiantec obviate any need to connect to municipal power.
A 1.4-kW solar array by Sharp and propane-powered in-floor radiant heating from Radiantec obviate any need to connect to municipal power.
A 55-foot nautical-themed sofa runs along one side of the pool deck.
A 55-foot nautical-themed sofa runs along one side of the pool deck.
Available for as low as $55,000, the Artist Bothy is a multipurpose, prefab hut designed to promote a creative spark in residents.
Available for as low as $55,000, the Artist Bothy is a multipurpose, prefab hut designed to promote a creative spark in residents.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
At 55 Monterrey, historic details like the bay window seen here are rolled into a space that feels very modern.
Reclaimed Glasgow Tenement tiles used on the fireplace were our clients own. The wood burner is a 4kw Salamander Hobbit in almond and black; recessed 12v LED lights from On Solar.
Reclaimed Glasgow Tenement tiles used on the fireplace were our clients own. The wood burner is a 4kw Salamander Hobbit in almond and black; recessed 12v LED lights from On Solar.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
A contemporary apartment tower rises behind the restored townhouse at 55 Monterrey Avenue in Mexico City's Colonia Roma neighborhood.
On the exterior of the office, a mural called “Awakened Flow” by Seb Humphreys (AKA Order 55) echoes the tranquil energy of the home.
On the exterior of the office, a mural called “Awakened Flow” by Seb Humphreys (AKA Order 55) echoes the tranquil energy of the home.
Floor Plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos
Floor Plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
Ulysses word cloud poster from beautifulwordsbeautifulart.com.
An 8-kW solar array powers the majority of the home's annual energy use, while a five-ton geothermal system provides mechanical heating and cooling. A 30,000-gallon rainwater collection system feeds the home with 200 gallons of purified water daily.
An 8-kW solar array powers the majority of the home's annual energy use, while a five-ton geothermal system provides mechanical heating and cooling. A 30,000-gallon rainwater collection system feeds the home with 200 gallons of purified water daily.
One of the main additions to the home was the rooftop solar hot water and 2.1 kW energy system, shown here from the rear of the house. The system is by Heliodyne.
One of the main additions to the home was the rooftop solar hot water and 2.1 kW energy system, shown here from the rear of the house. The system is by Heliodyne.
The 15.12 kW Tesla solar array that tops the reflective white roof is hidden from view on the ground. The solar panels provide enough power for the home and cars for most of the year; Tesla Powerwall batteries store excess energy. Also pictured is a vegetable garden at the top right corner.
The 15.12 kW Tesla solar array that tops the reflective white roof is hidden from view on the ground. The solar panels provide enough power for the home and cars for most of the year; Tesla Powerwall batteries store excess energy. Also pictured is a vegetable garden at the top right corner.
Floor plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos
Floor plan of WT Apartment by FJ55 Arquitetos
The sweeping, curved oak staircase with an oak balustrade leads to the first floor, which—unlike the ground floor’s polished concrete flooring—features herringbone oak parquet floors. Underfloor heating is powered by a 12kW ground-source heat pump with 600 meters of pipe buried in the garden.
The sweeping, curved oak staircase with an oak balustrade leads to the first floor, which—unlike the ground floor’s polished concrete flooring—features herringbone oak parquet floors. Underfloor heating is powered by a 12kW ground-source heat pump with 600 meters of pipe buried in the garden.
Cortek Modern Planter 81-14 in GFC / No color. Retails for $14. Industry pros get an instant 15% discount. L 5.5" x W 5.5" x H 5.5" Keep it as is or make it stand out with the color you want. Exclusively at Modern-Touch Design in Los Angeles. 1525 S. La Cienega Blvd. 90035 www.ModernTouchDesign.com
Cortek Modern Planter 81-14 in GFC / No color. Retails for $14. Industry pros get an instant 15% discount. L 5.5" x W 5.5" x H 5.5" Keep it as is or make it stand out with the color you want. Exclusively at Modern-Touch Design in Los Angeles. 1525 S. La Cienega Blvd. 90035 www.ModernTouchDesign.com
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
Elfa by the Container Store / containerstore.com
When chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Wisner said, the taste of Newton Vineyard’s Chardonnay “explodes in your mouth.”
When chilled to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, Wisner said, the taste of Newton Vineyard’s Chardonnay “explodes in your mouth.”

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