The office and retail building plays off local identity and was built by local craftsmen who are familiar with the methods of palapa construction. Experimental in design, but easily recognizable as part of the vernacular architecture, the Petat Glass buildings makes a case for alternative architecture. The geometric orthogonal building is respectful to the surrounding environment and largely relies on steel and glass for its construction.
Large, operable windows draw in lots of natural daylight and encourage cross ventilation through the space, which eliminates the use of air conditioning. The idea was to show that expensive and high tech systems are not necessary to create comfortable interior spaces. Simple and traditional materials, like palapa, can be used to encourage ventilation, cooling and create a visually stimulating space.
Via Plataforma Arquitectura
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Palapas are traditionally thatched roofs made from palm fronds, but in this Mexican office building in Cuernavaca, the palapa becomes part of a sustainability strategy and is used as part of the facade. Designed by REC Arquitectura, the Petat Glass uses
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The office and retail building plays off local identity as well as craftsmen who are familiar with the methods of palapa construction.
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At night, the palapa walls help the space breath and the interior lighting makes the building glow.
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Experimental in design, but easily recognizable to the as part of the vernacular architecture, the Petat Glass buildings makes a case for alternative architecture.
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The geometric orthogonal building is respectful to the surrounding environment and largely relies on steel and glass for its construction.
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arge, operable windows draw in lots of natural daylight and encourage cross ventilation through the space, which eliminates the use of air conditioning.
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Daylighting reaches down from the first floor down into the basement.
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The idea was to show that expensive and high tech systems are not necessary to create comfortable interior spaces
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Simple and traditional materials, like palapa, can be used to encourage ventilation, cooling and create a visually stimulating space.
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Model of the Petat Glass building.
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The palapa walls protect the interior from the sun and help expel hot air out of the space.
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