misael marin transforms mexican warehouse into plant-filled inn

'the use of raw materials emphasizes the original character of the project while the choice of vegetation and clay pots transmits spatial warmth,' shares the architect.

taller verde edited by lea zeitoun March 30, 2022 3 min

prefer designboom on google

‘the warehouse’ by misael marin exemplifies upcycling in architectural design

set in a neighborhood of mexico, and completed by architect misael marin, ‘the warehouse’ is a clear example of upcycling in architecture today. the project sees the transformation of a former industrial development into a plant-filled rest house for travelers. ‘the use of raw materials emphasizes the original character of the project while the choice of vegetation and clay pots transmits spatial warmth and a home-like feeling,’ shares the architect.

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 1 — a garden filters the sunlight before reaching the front facade

marin (see more here) developed the rest house’s social area around an open plan, fitted with a central pond and steel beams that virtually organize and divide the interior. the more private rooms stand behind a linear garden, creating a gentle buffer from the common area. in line with the upcycling principle, dismantled elements from the original warehouse were repurposed and converted into doors, lamps, and decorative elements.

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 2 — a central pond virtually organizes and divides the open-plan interior

achieving comfort and energy efficiency with minimal impact

through a set of passive and active techniques, marin successfully achieved comfort and energy efficiency in ‘the warehouse’ project. for one thing, he introduced natural lighting through large vertical openings directed toward the corridors. to avoid overheating the interior, marin preceded the entrance facade with landscaped terraces that act as thermal barriers and filter the light before reaching the openings. water features, indoor gardens, and rooftop insulation also contribute to temperature regulation. completing the process is the nave roof’s southern slope equipped with solar panels and a water collection system for irrigation.

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 5 — linear garden offers privacy towards the bedrooms

concluding his design approach, marin says:’ it is through the preservation of and intervention on the existing structure that the revitalization of the building was made possible, thus reducing the carbon footprint that demolition and new construction would have generated.’

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 4 — the industrial framework is softened by lush greenery

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 3 — open kitchen space

upcycling architecture from a warehouse to a rest house in mexico 6 — view from the master bedroom to the front terrace

project info:

name: the warehouse

location: mexico

architecture: misael marin

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.