CEMEX Building Award Mexico Series: Tres Picos 97, Hallmark of a New Era

June 15, 2015

The Polanco neighborhood is one of the most storied in Mexico City, but new building projects are disrupting tradition. Among these, the five-story Tres Picos 97 – the tallest height allowed in this emblematic neighborhood – won first place in the Category of "Medium and High Level Housing Complexes" in the 13th Mexican edition of the CEMEX Building Award.

"On this project we wanted to move away from the common practice of making apartments on a single floor, so we decided to make two completely independent blocks, and develop two-story apartments that work like four houses inside one building," says Sonny Sutton, lead architect for the project.

Allan Dayan, the project's engineer, defines it as two blocks of glass wrapped by an irregular concrete "belt," chosen for its cost, durability and manageability, and naturally, its aesthetic value. Steel complements the set of materials.

"We have proven that a lot of concrete does not make a project seem cold, we have done away with that taboo. What we accomplished here is that even with all the concrete we used, the project is still inviting, appealing and beautiful," says Dayan. Because the spaces are open, the quality of the materials was key. There could be no margin for error, and so they chose CEMEX to accompany them from beginning to end.

"It is always important to be backed by a supplier you know will deliver a consistent product, with the same characteristics from one pour to the next, and that you're going to have your ready-mix batches without delays because of the relationship established," says Dayan.

Sutton says achieving the top award for their category is an incentive and a commitment to continue with the work they so enjoy.

"Here in Mexico, we have a very high level of architecture and projects. I think that I can compare that to CEMEX: just like CEMEX is a pillar of a company at a global level, the architecture and projects made in Mexico are equally renowned," concludes Dayan.

The CEMEX Building Award is an initiative created and organized by CEMEX for the purpose of distinguishing the best in architecture and construction around the world. Each year, CEMEX has distinguished the best construction projects and all those people who have made these possible: architects, engineers, investors, and constructors. In this series, we recognize the winners of the 2014 Mexico edition.

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future.