Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria

Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - FacadeFachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - FacadeFachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Facade, SteelFachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Image 5 of 21Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - More Images+ 16

Villahermosa, Mexico

Text description provided by the architects. The aim was to design a dynamic and modern façade that would provide a new image for the largest luxury retailer in Mexico.

Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Image 9 of 21
© Luis Gordoa

The project’s challenge was to find a simple and effective construction system that would accelerate the production, assembly, and installation of the façade and, at the same time, provide a complex and interesting proposal.

Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Facade
© Jaime Navarro

Given Tabasco’s tropical climate and its severe solar incidence and humidity levels, concrete was selected as the project’s design material; a material both resistant and with extraordinary aging qualities. With the development of innovative construction technologies, the project would seek a new image for Liverpool.

Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Facade
© Jaime Navarro

The solution emerged from a research and development process, where the concrete’s potential and ability to form complex geometries was explored. On the other hand, extensive trial and error processes were applied involving different pouring methods and formwork materials, such as, fiberglass, concrete and sand. The result was a façade that’s built by combining 5 different types of precast pieces shaped like a propeller. Each propeller rotates 180° on its axis; heights vary between 16 to 20 meters, depending on their position.

Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria - Image 15 of 21
© Luis Gordoa

These simple and controlled variations create numerous results for each piece, which as a whole, give a sense of movement; this effect is better appreciated at a distance and when passing trough by car at high speed. From up close, the concrete looks like a fine wood; the acid layer applied as a final coating, brings out the concrete’s grain, which in return, gives the material this odd appearance. Additionally, the light changes that occur during the day, and the artificial lighting at night, provide an interesting mixture of colors, reflections and shadows, achieving an always changing and never static image for the façade.

Corte

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Project location

Address:Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico

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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: "Fachada Liverpool / Iñaki Echeverria" 13 Aug 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/261204/liverpool-villahermosa-inaki-echeverria> ISSN 0719-8884

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