El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura

El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Chair, BeamEl Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, ShelvingEl Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Image 4 of 24El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Shelving, Table, ChairEl Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - More Images+ 19

Ciudad de México, Mexico
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  978
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Investwood, Adredde, Artell, Ascensores Macrey, Bakan, Bayon, Carpintería Mictlán, Crisvisa, ESTEVEZ, Galvak, Global Woods, Hunter Douglas, IAS, Incoleón, Lámparas Ivonne, Maderería Cuauhnáhuac, Material Rustico SA de CV, Materiales Rusticos, Mexican Black Basalt, Pisos Creativos, +2
  • Lead Architect: Eduardo Aizenman
  • Design Team: Francisco Luna, Victor Ramirez, Raúl Perez, Daniel Ochoa, Ariana Santiago, Socorro Castro, Andrea Arnaldo, Fernando Ramirez
  • Clients: Instituto Cultural Helénico y Cafebrería El Péndulo
  • Engineering: Rogerio Pacheco Carmona, Moisés Mercado
  • Collaborators: Buro Verde Arquitectura
  • Lightning: Jesús Morales
  • Interiors: Eduardo Aizenman, Margara Macías
  • Commercial Kitchen: DDEPCI
  • Landscape: Victor Ramirez, Eric Castillo
  • Supervisión De Obra: ADTec, Mario Tellez
  • Construcción: Incoleón SA de CV
  • City: Ciudad de México
  • Country: Mexico
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El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Image 4 of 24
© Jaime Navarro

Text description provided by the architects. The San Angel Branch of the Péndulo Bookstore Chain was commissioned by the Instituto Cultural Helenico, to complement it’s cultural complex of theatres and humanities school, and to create a cultural hub in the southern part of Mexico City. The project emerges from a pre-existing raised “plaza” in the front of the site and works around a large ash tree and an imposing palm. The building borrows from the theatre the concept of “stages” or platforms at different levels, where from you can see and be seen, all within a large “hangar” like space.Multiple activities coexist in these “stages”: bookstore/design store, restaurant and lounge bar, all surrounded by two levels of books, and unified bellow a wooden pergola.

El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Shelving, Beam
© Jaime Navarro
El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Image 18 of 24
Plan
El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Image 14 of 24
© Jaime Navarro

Different materials and lighting bring warmth and individuality to each level and activity. Circulation patterns offer variety of experiences to move around and inhabit the space. The interior is arranged around two axis, one from a busy avenue to a quiet garden in the back, and the other from the theatre vestibule to a huge wall of books. The palm tree, housed in a chimney like louvered enclosure, serves as the commanding fulcrum for the entire composition.

El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Closet, Shelving, Beam
© Eduardo Aizenman
El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Image 23 of 24
Section AA
El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Shelving
© Jaime Navarro

A light steel structural system which include the bookshelves themselves as anti-simic diaphragms, together with a sensitive use of materials allowed for an open yet intimate feeling of the space. The discreet facade, covered with ondulated alluminum, wood planks and large windows, are perfectly integrated between the existing theatre structure by reknowned architect Pedro Ramirez Vazquez and the neighbouring headquartes of the Federal Judiciary Building by Ricardo Legorreta, from which it borrows some of its color palette. The project was recently awarded best building of the year at Expo Cihac Premio Escala Competition.

El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura - Interior Photography, Shelving, Table, Chair
© Jaime Navarro

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Project location

Address:Av. Revolución 1500, Campestre, Álvaro Obregón, 01020 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "El Péndulo Library / Aizenman-Arquitectura" [Café y librería El Péndulo / Aizenman-Arquitectura] 08 Nov 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/927871/el-pendulo-library-aizenman-arquitectura> ISSN 0719-8884

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