This Skinny Mexico City Tower Is Just 14 Feet Wide on One Side

In the heart of Mexico City, a remarkable architectural feat stands tall and slender, defying the conventional norms of skyscraper design. The Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca 780, a 13-story skyscraper designed by the Mexican architecture firm HEMAA, is a testament to innovation and resilience. Situated on a narrow strip of land between a narrow street and the remnants of the Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca Railroad, this tower is a marvel of modern engineering and design.

The challenge of building on such a constrained site was immense. HEMAA faced the daunting task of envisioning a graceful tower that would not only adapt to the difficult terrain but also exceed all expectations. The result is a structure that emerges like a resilient plant, flourishing in the face of hardship. The tower's external appearance is a nod to the industrial past of the urban fabric, using steel, concrete, and glass to create an elegant representation of modern architecture.



The design of Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca 780 is a meticulous analysis and reworking of classical architectural features. The structure explores attractive proportions in great detail, using golden ratios whenever feasible. Each of the base, shaft, and capital that make up its volumetric composition reveals its own character through a variety of modulations and windows of different sizes. The design removes any obstacles from the floors by cleverly using the structural facade, producing modules that carefully arrange the facades and maximize the use of interior space.

The facades, which are enclosed within the urban setting, primarily use glazing to let in a lot of natural light and to blend the building in with its surroundings. This approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the building but also ensures that the interior spaces are well-lit and connected to their surroundings. The use of glazing that wraps almost entirely around the building brings in natural light from every angle, further enhancing the interior spaces.

The ground floor of the skyscraper is designed to welcome guests with two symmetrical entrances on the north and south faces, allowing pedestrian traffic to flow freely and visually connecting the street to the newly finished linear park along the railroad. The ground floor also includes a commercial space intended for a local coffee shop with welcoming terraces. The typical floors are streamlined, keeping only the most important service cores, while the thirteenth story features a spacious terrace that offers expansive views stretching from Chapultepec Park to the city skyline.

Below street level, the building houses storage rooms, cleaning and maintenance areas, and other essential spaces. Interestingly, 126 parking spots spread over 13 storeys are accommodated by a robotic parking system. This creative approach was necessitated by the limited site limitations and local standard requirements that made it difficult to use a conventional parking system.

The choice of steel as the primary building material is crucial for tackling the particular difficulties presented by Mexico City's seismic regulations. The city's building standards mandate that structures have strong systems that can withstand earthquake forces because the area is seismically active. The project collaborated with elite structural designers known for their proficiency in seismic-resistant design in order to meet the seismic difficulties and guarantee the highest degree of structural integrity.

The structure has a distinctive and unique form while blending in with its surroundings. Its shape gently changes depending on the time of observation and the viewpoint of the observer, providing a multitude of distinct interpretations. Its "unequivocal identity" provides the perfect setting for the tower to take on a lively life once it is occupied. Architecture and technology blend together to create a flexible system that guarantees effective resource management and energy use.

In addition, Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca 780 is certified by LEED, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability. Advanced HVAC systems, high-efficiency lighting, and insulation systems are examples of energy efficiency techniques that guarantee optimal energy usage, reduce carbon emissions and conserve water.

The Ferrocarril de Cuernavaca 780 skyscraper is a remarkable example of how innovative architectural and engineering solutions can maximize the use of interior space and natural light in a building with such a slender profile. The use of a structural facade that removes any obstacles from the floors, the use of glazing that wraps almost entirely around the building, and the incorporation of a variety of modulations and windows of different sizes all contribute to the overall character of the structure. The design team's attention to detail and commitment to sustainability make this skyscraper a true marvel of modern architecture.