| Alberto Rimoch | La Diferencia This twelve-apartment building located in Mexico City affords stunning views over a gully, due to the fact that only 950 of the 4,450 square meters were assigned for residential use, with the remainder set aside as a green protected area. The concept was a small building with 170 square meter apartments built to a high architectural standard. As a starting point, the main views were designed to face west, toward the gully, while the utility areas were located on to the east and by the busy road.
 The building is set back from the street to leave a metallic brise-soleil with plants as a vertical garden to provide a visual and acoustic filter between the building and the street. Formed by three levels with four units per floor, the building also has a semi-basement where the parking area is located. All the apartments have balconies on the rear façade with the same layout, all having: living-dining, open plan kitchen, family room, laundry, main bedroom, second bedroom and three complete bathrooms. Those on the top floor have private rooftop access. 
A series of terraces looking out onto the street give the façade a dynamic look and individual character to each unit. Three of those terraces are formed by yellow fritted glass that plays with the vertical garden giving the façade color and personality. This building is environmentally friendly with a rain water recycling system to be used for the whole building, making the vertical garden auto sustainable. On the rooftop there are solar panels to supply hot water. The bright red metallic element in the façade, containing both the pedestrian and vehicular access, makes the building stand out in this busy street. [Search:DCION
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Architect: Alberto Rimoch in collaboration with Rodrigo Carvallo
Project area: 2,750 sqm
Project year: 2009
Photographer: Pedro Hiriart
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