MAYO building | guadagna | arquitectos

The MAYO building is a compact building of five dwellings located on a lot between party walls
measuring 10 meters in front and 16 meters in depth, in the city of Tandil, province of Buenos
Aires. It is located in a passageway, on an atypical block in the consolidated urban fabric. This
block is currently in the process of being completed.
In relation to the neighborhood, it is a low-density fabric where houses, residential buildings,
restaurants and stores of different scales coexist.
The volumetric definition of the project, the permeability of the first floor and the relationship of
the voids with the urban space are linked to the characteristics of the neighborhood.
The volume of the building takes the maximum height defined by the builiding code, giving rise
to the free plan on the ground floor and an elevated three-story box and garden terrace with
common facilities above. The access hall was resolved with a semi-covered patio and bicycle rack.
As a reminder of the construction process, the sign used in the fence was placed and the exposed
concrete was left in the formwork with phenolic slabs. The metal gate screens the views and the
entry of natural light into the hall. There are two units per floor. These dwellings take up the
entire width of the lot. The units facing the street have a Northwest orientation and those facing
the back are enhanced by the views of the hills landscape. On the 3rd level the assembly is
atypical, since it is an entire floor. This decision is based on the programmatic needs of its owners.
In the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, roof gardens-terraces, have gained great prominence in
urban life, acting as a shelter, a space for enjoyment or as an outdoor work space. For this reason,
the fourth and last level contains two terraces. To the Northwest: a solarium with grill and
showers, to the back another terrace with bathroom, laundry and expansion. This is the patio in
height.
The building is built with a reinforced concrete structure and the enclosures with hollow ceramic
brick masonry and finished with white plastic cladding.
As a sensory fact, color not only defines what we see, but also how we feel or how we think.
Finally, we already know that it modifies productivity, inspires decision-making and shapes our
perspective. To emphasize the full and empty spaces, supporting light and shadow, we chose to
paint the inside of the balconies emerald green. Thus accentuating the white perforated box
containing the units.
The landscape housing allows for longer views, greater light entry and a better perception of
spaciousness. The white color, the floor-to-ceiling glazed slits and the color detailing give the
MAYO building a simple, contemporary aesthetic.