Cafebrería El Péndulo San Ángel
Location Av. revolución 1500, Álvaro Obregón, Ciudad de México, México
Project date 2018
Built area 976m2
Associate architects and collaborators
Buró Verde Arquitectos
General contractor
Incoleón SA de CV
Recognition
Premio Noldi Schreck 2019 Longlisted Dezeen Awards 2020 Premio Escala de Oro
Publications
Architectural Record 2019 México Desconocido chaeg.co.kr archello.com Gestalten book
Archdaily.com Glocal.mx Navegando arquitectura
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, restaurant and lounge bar, and are surrounded by the presence of books, and unified bellow a wooden pergola. 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 entry to a huge wall of books. The palm tree, housed in a chimney like louvered enclosure, serves as the commanding axis for the entire composition as well as the natural ventilation regulator for the entire space.
