Black granite, terrazzo, and concrete all contrast the lush vegetation at this compound on Mexico City's elite Paseo de la Reforma, which houses the official residence of the Swiss Ambassador to Mexico.
The residence of the Swiss Ambassador in Mexico City was comprehensively renovated by Swiss studio Fruehauf, Henry & Viladoms (FHV) in collaboration with local architects Blancasmoran. Originally built in 1952, the property no longer met the functional, security, and seismic requirements of the residence.
The residence of the Swiss ambassador in Mexico City has thick concrete walls
Located in the upscale neighbourhood of Lomas de Chapultepec, the property is sited on a steep slope that leads down to a stream below.
The land is lush with vegetation, a feature that the team sought to highlight in its design. A lush courtyard leads visitors to the house
From the busy street, the building is protected by a seven-metre-tall concrete wall. "A horizontal folding gives it an austere, intriguing and sophisticated presence," the architects said in a project description.
The compound is entered via a courtyard that leads to the house. Each of the rectangular volumes that make up the home is angled relative to the street, unlike the neighbouring buildings, which follow the city grid.

Terrazzo was used for the exterior and interior floor finishes, lending a sense of continuity between the courtyard, the residence, and the terraced garden beyond. This uniformity is enhance...