Designed by JSA, this project had as its starting point a project of urban archeology. Carlota Hotel, which was in total decay, was formerly called Garden Amazonas Hotel. In its heyday, the central courtyard was an oasis within the city. There was nothing left of that hotel other than the typical structure of a motel with exterior corridors overlooking the courtyard as well as countless layers of coatings, aggregates, steps, and ceilings. Today the Carlota hotel has 36 rooms, each with a special touch.
Photography: Rafael Gamo
The facade, which was kept intact, was probably remodeled in the eighties, wanting to impose an air of modernity to the building they covered it with an enclosure finished in the glass mirror. Colonia Cuauhtemoc, which today is a very culturally active area, shared the same process of deterioration for several years when the periphery competed with the central city. The decision of what to keep and what to remove was a playful and gradual discovery process. Photography: Rafael Gamo
JSA decided to prevent access on the facade and build a new one on the side in the neighboring parking lot to change the narrative of circulation and cause a surprise making visitors come in directly to this central courtyard. In the process, in addition to removing and showing the different layers, the architects also provided some powerful elements that could give cohesion and unity to the project. The concrete structure of the existing building can be seen in every commo...