Mexico's Gold Mine

Efizia will be built in Santa Fe, the city's burgeoning commercial and leisure district
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THE RECYCLABLE MATERIALS

In choosing materials, SPACE sought only those that were low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—paint, carpet backing, plastics and wood preservatives have been avoided—as they can affect users by contributing to sick building syndrome.

Moreover, approximately 10% of the raw materials that will be used in the construction of the building will be local to the region; and around 30% of those materials will be made up of recycled content.

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THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY

At present, Mexican authorities are developing green standards to change the way buildings in the country are designed and built but, as yet, none exist. At the moment, there are no incentives to encourage green development, which means the onus of change rests with the private sector. 

Much like countries in the Gulf, if multinational companies are to invest in places like Mexico, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, local developers must be able to provide a standard of green-ness that is comparable to those of more mature markets.

“Through sustainable design, overall costs will eventually be considerably less than traditional costs,” says Mondragon. “Rents may be higher in the beginning but quality firms will find cost/benefit advantages in the short term.”

According to Diederichsen, support for building green is coming not just from the building community, but end users themselves.  “More and more clients are beginning to understand the importance of eco-friendly architecture,” he says. “This project is the proof that sustainable and green buildings can be done without resigning oneself to ultramodern and powerful architecture.”

The pressure to deliver those sustainable designs now rests firmly on the shoulders of the building community.

Whether we talk about the Gulf or Latin America, places that deal with an abundance of sunlight, energy shortages and limited fresh water must focus their resources on efficient energy use, water treatment and waste management.

If not, these multimillion-dollar buildings face the very real possibility of having to be stripped down and refitted with eco-friendly technologies once that inevitable green legislation reaches their districts.

TEAM
Design architect: SPACE Architects + Planners, Juan Carlos Baumgartner
Project manager: Alfonso Belmar
Design consultant: Javier Alvarez Gomez Tostado
Structural engineer: CTC Ingenieros
Mechanical engineer: DYPRO
Façade engineer: Aluvisa
Fire protection: JPR
Lighting design: Luz en Arquitectura
Audio visual: Omar Saad

STATS
Total building area (in m²): 138,600 m²
Underground parking area (in m² ): 74,400 m²
Subterranean levels: 8
Storeys: 32
Levels of podium: 1
Percentage of residential: 0%
Percentage of commercial: 95% 
Percentage of retail: 5%
Building status: Pre-construction (2012)
Total cost: US $100 million

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