SO ? IL, working alongside the instituto municipal de vivienda de león (IMUVI), has designed a prototypical housing development for the mexican city of león. titled ?las americas?, the project comprises high density, sustainable, social housing that supports social mobility with opportunities. spread across 5,800 square meters, the 6-floor scheme contains a total of 56 apartments, with a combination of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units.

all images courtesy of SO ? IL
 
 
located within the city center, the building is organized around two landscaped courtyards within the multi-story housing block. a collection of shared patios along a public staircase offers opportunities for community-building and allows residents to socialize and enjoy the outdoor space. SO ? IL and IMUVI worked directly with fabricators in mexico to develop a concrete brick that could produce a different unit layout and façade pattern for every apartment.
the homes are arranged around two internal courtyards
 
 
units arranged along an exterior corridor face the courtyard space and provide views out toward the neighborhood. importantly, the homes offer natural cross ventilation, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling. the layouts support multi-generational living, making room for grandparents who can watch the children as parents go to work. furthermore, no two units face each other, enhancing the feeling of privacy and ownership.

an irregular, playful façade will face the street
 
 
using a ...