Onyx Building

Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo

ONYX BUILDING

Diez + Muller Arquitectos

ARCHITECTS
Diez + Muller Arquitectos

DESIGN
Gonzalo Diez P, Felipe Muller B

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
Quito, Ecuador

CATEGORY
Apartments

Text description provided by architect.

On a 1400 m2 lot in the heart of the north area of the city of Quito, the commission required a building for medium-density housing. 

Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo

The L-shaped lot has a steep slope, as the ground is depressed an entire floor between the top and the bottom. The slope is evident along the entire front of the lot. There are two important trees on the sidewalk worth keeping.

The design arises from two main ideas: First, to divide the building into two blocks laid out in an L-shape, following the morphology of the ground in planimetric and topographic terms. 

Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo

This indicates that the block on the upper area of the lot will be laid out an entire floor over the annexed block, thus establishing a hierarchy between interior and exterior spaces, and giving more exclusivity to the densification of the buildings. 

Second, to create a stepped square that serves to connect the two housing blocks, but at the same time give the project a semi-public space which visually connects the square and the street, complemented by outdoor furniture, landscaping and the existent vegetation of the street.

Towards the building, the entire length of the staircase goes up against a glass front, which spans the lobby of the first block and a common gym, both double height. 

Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo

The staircase creates an effect of glass being buried over the square, but at the same time connects the main plaza with the main hall.

Thus, the relationship between “street”, “square”, and “interior space” becomes a sequential experience, which contributes to the integration of the project into the public space.

Finally, the design of the housing units is addressed in a linear organization, where the apartments make the most of the perimeter of the blocks and consequently of natural light, views, etc.

Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo


Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo


Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo


Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo
Onyx Building
© Sebastian Crespo


Onyx Building
Basement Floor Plan
Onyx Building
Basement Floor Plan
Onyx Building
Ground Floor Plan
Onyx Building
Ground Floor Plan
Onyx Building
Plan
Onyx Building
Plan


Onyx Building
Section
Onyx Building
Section


Onyx Building
Detail
Onyx Building
Drawing