Skip to main content

Rethinking What Affordable Housing Can Be in Hidalgo, Mexico

The growing movement of 100% sustainable construction could play a huge role in making our planet a healthier place. Mexican architectural firm Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados joined up with other architects to create an experimental village of 32 rural residences that rethink what affordable housing can look like.

In 2017, the Research Center for Sustainable Development challenged architects and designers to come up with a village that would showcase affordability and sustainability. Intended as a place for low-income workers to be housed, the residences needed to go beyond pure functionality — typically the only consideration when affordable housing units are built. The architects were tasked with elevating the quality of life for the prospective residents through the creation of spaces that were functional, sustainable, and stylish.

Related Videos

The village, located in Hidalgo, Mexico, is called the Laboratory of Research and Practical Experimentation of Housing — or INFONAVIT. Paid for by Mexico’s National Workers’ Housing Fund Institute, the village showcases a variety of designs and materials. 

For their design, the team at PPAA focused on the way the people of the area aspired to an “American” way of life. They want homes that are flexible, promote relaxation, and provide outdoor spaces. This led to the creation of Apán Residence — a home that can transform with the family while honoring its location through the use of local materials. 

Beyond creating a home that was sustainable, affordable, and beautiful, PPAA also had to address the extreme climate of the region. To construct Apán Residence, the team used a masonry system indigenous to the locale. Walls are cement — made of sand with dye and also a concrete layer to withstand the high humidity. Low rainfall in the region is addressed through a rainwater collection system on the roof. To keep the temperature regulated, the main entrance faces south and there are no windows on that side of the home. This allows the main rooms of the home to stay to the north, with windows facing away from direct sunlight. 

Beyond these functional aspects of the design, the quality of life was a big factor in how Apán Residence was laid out. The sliding glass doors of the northern family room open to a spacious outdoor patio and beautiful landscape views beyond. The flat roof allows for a bonus patio off of the second floor bedroom. The strong structural support of the exterior walls means few interior walls are needed. This creates an open floor plan inside that can be arranged however it suits the family. It also means this generic blueprint can be repurposed in a variety of ways without adding extra time to the build. So while Apán Residence may have just one bedroom and an office on the second floor, Apán 2.0 could be a three-bedroom home, or a two-bedroom with two balconies. 

It’s this flexibility that has been a key focus of the new wave of affordable housing. It’s more important than ever that the home fits the individual family, rather than forcing each family into the same (ugly) box. Adding sustainability on top of that keeps costs such as utilities low, ensuring the family will be able to afford to stay in the home for the long term. In this way, places like Apán Residence are good for people and the planet.

Editors' Recommendations

Chelsea vs Everton live stream: How to watch for free
The Manual examines the United States men's soccer team as it stands on the brink of earning a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar this summer.

Chelsea vs Everton will be a delight to neutrals and fans of the respective teams alike. Chelsea will be keen to gain their fourth win in a row, but that doesn't mean Everton won't want to shake things up. If you're looking for a free Chelsea vs Everton live stream to catch up on all the action, you're in luck. Here's how to watch the game without paying a thing.
Free Chelsea vs Everton live stream
Chelsea vs Everton is streaming on USA Network when it kicks off at 1.30 pm ET. The channel is available through a lot of different sports streaming services, but we recommend using FuboTV. That's because there's a FuboTV free trial so you can check out the Chelsea vs Everton live stream for free. The trial only lasts seven days, but that's plenty of time to check out other channels on the service with over 115 available covering news, entertainment, and sport. Channels such as ESPN, Disney Channel, and CNN will keep you interested, among many others. FuboTV costs $65 for the basic plan with upgrades also available including premium channels as add-ons. It's a great option for cord-cutters and is sure to appeal to you for far longer than simply watching today's game.

If you happen to be traveling abroad while still keen to watch Chelsea vs Everton, you may find that FuboTV doesn't travel with you. It's frustrating when you can't access a service you're paying for (or using the time-limited free trial), but there is a way around this. Sign up to NordVPN and you can 'trick' your connection into thinking you're still back home, thereby allowing you to access FuboTV and watch the match. All you need to do is open the app and choose a US-based server. From there, NordVPN makes it look like your home allowing you to access your streaming services. It also enhances your security so it's ideal for when dealing with public Wi-Fi or hotel Wi-Fi that may be unsafe compared to your home network. There's a NordVPN free trial too to help you check it out risk-free for the first 30 days.

Read more
How to Watch UFC 286: Live Stream Edwards vs Usman
Edwards vs Usman UFC 286 live stream promo image.

While UFC 286, taking place on Saturday, March 18, is set to feature some excellent fights, the main event will see Leon Edwards defending his Welterweight title against Kamaru Usman in a highly-anticipated rematch. It's something that avid fans won't want to miss, which means you should secure access to a UFC 286 live stream well in advance. The good news is it's possible to watch online if you know where and how. Don't fret, we have you covered there, just keep reading.

How to Watch UFC 286 in the US

Read more
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ trailer: There’s plenty for adult fans to love
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back on the big screen
seth rogens teenage mutant ninja turtles trailer tmnt

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the most enduring entertainment franchises of all time. Between comic books, video games, action figures, and movies, the sarcastic, funny, and kickass adolescent reptiles have been relevant in a variety of mediums since the 1980s. What was once a signature franchise for Generation X and Millennials has now been passed down to new generations of fans.

Still, the heartbeat of the fandom comes from these older generations. TMNT lost its way a little bit in recent years, but original fans have now attempted to bring back what made the stories and characters so unique. It started with the video game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, which came out in the summer of 2022, and now it extends to the Seth Rogen-produced film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Read more