shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments’ undulating facade in mexico

inspired by the local context, the residences by jorge urias studio feature a red cast-in-place concrete element that serves structural purposes.

Jorge Urias edited by thomai tsimpou September 5, 2024 3 min

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Jorge Urias Studio presents a 24-apartment complex in Mexico

RT2 Apartments by Jorge Urias Studio is a multifamily project within the Real de las Torres residential complex in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. This development adds 24 modern one-bedroom apartments across two three-level buildings. Inspired by the local context, the residences feature a red cast-in-place concrete element that serves structural and aesthetic purposes. The undulating facade, with its varying textures, defines the character of the project and creates dynamic shadows that shift throughout the day when it interacts with sunlight, gradually altering the perception of the architecture.

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 1 — all images courtesy of Jorge Urias Studio

Red concrete load-bearing walls form RT2 Apartments’ interior

Jorge Urias Studio reinterprets the architecture of Real de las Torres with a contemporary, functional approach. Red concrete load-bearing walls form the core of the RT2 project, creating a visual impact and providing structural integrity. The facades of the buildings vary in density, with more intricate, warm, and welcoming textures at street level that become progressively more open and expansive as the structure rises. The New York- and Mexico-based practice’s design balances communal spaces with private living areas, with each of the two buildings of RT2 Apartments comprising two volumes organized around a semi-open courtyard. Located within the courtyard, a central staircase enhances the communal atmosphere.

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 2 — RT2 provides 24 modern one-bedroom apartments distributed in two three-level buildings

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 3 — each building is made up of two volumes arranged around a semi-open courtyard

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 4 — inspired by the existing context, the design of the RT2 project reinterprets Real de las Torres architecture

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 5 — the RT2 project expands the housing capacity of Real de Las Torres

shadows-rt2-apartments-red-undulating-facade-mexico-jorge-urias-studio-designboom-1800-03 — each of the two buildings of RT2 Apartments comprising two volumes organized around a semi-open courtyard

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 6 — load-bearing walls in red cast-in-place concrete serve both structural and aesthetic purposes

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 7 — the undulating façade generates dynamic shadows

shadows shift throughout the day on RT2 apartments' undulating facade in mexico - 8 — the concrete texture changes the perception of the buildings throughout the day

varying textures define the character of the project intricate, warm, and welcoming textures are found on street level communal spaces and private living areas are balanced a semi-open courtyard houses a central staircase with common access dynamic shadows shift throughout the day curvilinear textures vary in density from level to level the textures become progressively more open and expansive as the structure rises

project info:

name: RT2 Apartments
architect: Jorge Urias Studio | @jorgeuriasstudio

design team: Jorge Urias Garza, Christian Cota, Luz Anaid Maravilla, Lorenzo Torres

location: Chihuahua, Mexico

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